MOSQUE OF OGO — INQUISITIVE IMANS. 
119 
doors, of which there were three, one in front and one in each 
of the adjoining sides. I did not see any niche, nor even any 
hollow along the wall which looked towards Mecca. The 
only object I remarked was a little staircase of earth, for the 
blind man who performed the office of Muezin, to mount to 
the roof of the diakra. Earthen pilasters supported the roof 
of this temple, four on each side. 
On leaving this place I met two aged Imans, who asked 
me why I was come to Foutatoro ; why I wore such tight 
trowsers ; why the chief of the village had lodged me ; lastly, 
why I had not gone to OuUi in a vessel ; for these people do 
not think a white man can travel if he has not a ship under 
his feet. I took care not to answer all these questions ; and my 
host came very opportunely to impose silence on them ; he 
said to me in Jololf, " Do what you please ; look about you, 
write, walk, you are at perfect liberty ; these Imans are only 
old dotards." I accompanied him to his hut, but I remarked 
that though his behaviour towards me was not entirely changed, 
yet he had secretly lent an ear to the suggestions of these 
Imans, for he made me several insidious offers. " If you wish," 
said he, " for a letter to Bondou or Bambouck, I will give 
you one ; if you chuse to go into the Bambara country, I will 
lend you a slave, who shall conduct you thither." I answered 
that I was not going to Bambara, and that my business called 
metoOulli. "I will not conceal from you," said he, "that 
my countrymen, the Toucolors, on seeing you, will insist that 
