PACOUR. 69 
February 13th. I awoke my people before sun-rise, for 
their ablutions and prayers always detained us at least an hour 
every morning-. I had determined to pursue the route to 
Salum, but perceiving that it conducted me to the west, and 
that I should lose a great deal of time in penetrating on this 
side into Oulli, I retraced my steps, and resolved to turn 
eastward. Boukari and my host then conjured me not to take 
a route so full of danger. " Thy life is dear to us," said they : 
" ours would there be free from peril, but we would not wish 
thee to sacrifice thine." Moved by the affection which these 
honest creatures evinced for me, I directed my course east 
one quarter north-east, with a view to visit the Bourb- 
Joloffs, and to solicit an escort. On my way I avoided en- 
tering several small villages, where there were no Marabouts, 
and in general, I scarcely ever stopped in places where I 
knew that there were no Mahometan Negroes, because I ran 
more risk there than in the others ; the Pagan Negroes being 
more addicted to pillage and drunkenness than those who are 
converted to Islamism. It was near six o'clock when we 
arrived at Pacour where we intended to sleep. This village 
belongs to one man, who has peopled it with his slaves ; their 
number already considerable, is constantly increasing. In 
times of famine he has bought these families with the pro- 
duce of his lands, and under his paternal protection they ali 
live in abundance. Their labour augments his wealth, and 
furnishes him with the means of doubling the number of his 
