106 
TRANSACTIONS AT DIABA. 
given among- polished nations, and basely abandoning- their 
friends when at variance with the agents of government, 
declared to the messengers of Almamy, that I had been 
recommended to them by the Bourb-Joloffs, and that they 
would never abandon a white man whom they had taken 
under their protection. Then placing me between them, they 
conducted me to the village. Astonished at our sudden 
return, the inhabitants thronged the roads to see us pass. I 
alighted from my horse at the door of the chief, and went to 
pay my respects to him ; the council of elders immediately 
assembled, and I was desired to prefer my complaint against 
the pretended emissaries of the king. I found a zealous 
advocate in Boubakar, who had never seen me before, and 
also in Moutoupha, the Marabout with whom I had travelled 
from the Joloff country. I asked the chief for what reason 
Almamy should wish to see me, and refuse to let my mer- 
chandise proceed. " I know not," he replied, " the motive 
which has induced Almamy to act thus, but his orders must 
be obeyed ; and remember," added he, " if thou art master 
on the sea, thou art not upon land ; leave thy commodities 
here ; count their number, and I swear by Mahomet thou 
shalt find every thing again in the same state in which thou 
hast left it." As I hesitated what course to pursue, he angrily 
exclaimed : " Dost thou think then that we are robbers, and 
wish to plunder thee ?" This decision was not satisfactory to 
the elders, but it afforded a triumph to the people, who saw 
