EXCURSION TO GANDIOLLE. 17 
parations necessary for such an enterprise. The kindness 
which he had always been pleased to show me, impelled 
him, however, to address to me some observations on the 
dangers to which I was about to expose myself. His paternal 
advice only gave him new claims to my gratitude. I had 
foreseen all the obstacles, but I was determined to surmount 
them, or to perish. 
My journey being at length determined upon, it was 
important for me to make the necessary arrangements for my 
departure with the utmost dispatch, that I might not be 
overtaken by the rainy season. I was obliged at the same 
time to keep my enterprise secret, because the Negroes 
might liave taken umbrage at the formation of an expedition 
for the purpose of traversing their country, and have thrown 
obstacles in its way. 
Under the pretence of a hunting party, I went with one 
of my friends to Gandiolle, a village in the kingdom of Cayor, 
situated near the Senegal, opposite to its mouth, and four 
leagues to the south-east of St. Louis. The object of this 
excursion was to buy a horse ; the moment was unseasonable 
I knew, but I could not delay my departure. The Damel. 
or King of Cayor, was then in this village. He had been 
accompanied thither by numerous detachments of troops ; the 
consequent bustle and confiision may be easily imagined. 1 
needed the protection of this prince, to preserve me from 
insult ; and therefore, took with me an interpreter, who carried 
