114 
DEPARTURE FROM SEDO. 
of Foutatoro, and as Almamy never decides any point without 
consulting him, I also gave him ten grains of coral. I was 
surprised that men filling the dignities of the state should 
accept so paltry a gift, but the people of Africa, like those of 
Asia, do not attach so much importance to the intrinsic value 
of the present, as to the gift itself, which they regard as a 
homage paid to power. The two Negro chiefs, on receiving 
my coral, promised me their support, adding that I was at 
liberty to return to my hut, and to go when I thought fit. 
The consideration which I derived from the protection of 
Almamy, brought me visitors without number. All were 
eager to see the king's white man. The Poula girls were not 
the most backward. Conquests in love are very easy in 
Africa, but at Sedo they are not to be obtained but with gold. 
Every time I looked at a girl, she was offered to me in mar- 
riage, but in repayment for this sacrifice they demanded my 
horse or my gun. 
February 28th. The attentions lavished upon me by 
Moutoupha and his whole family, and the manner in which 
he had defended me at Diaba and Sedo, merited a recompence; 
I had also been living several days at his house. For so many 
signal services, he was satisfied with six heads of tobacco, two 
sheets of paper, two charges of powder, and two grains of 
coral. He even insisted on conducting us beyond the pre- 
cincts of the village, and one of his sons served me as a guide. 
I lost a sincere friend on quitting Moutoupha ; he easily 
