134 
DESCRIPTION OF ALMAMY's TROOPS. 
truth, produced the desired effect on the mind of Ahnamy. 
" If thy white man," replied he, " wishes to return to Senegal, 
or to go into Oulli, I will give him a guide ; I take him under 
my protection ; he has nothing to fear." Some minutes after, 
A lmamy set off for Canel, where he was to hold a conference 
with his ally, Almamy of Bondou. After the departure of this 
prince and his chiefs, the village appeared to be abandoned ; 
women, children and cripples only were left, and these 
thronged round my hut. Although my illness had impaired 
my strength, I was advised to mount my horse and accompany 
Almamy, whose pride was doubtless flattered at having a 
European in his train. All the roads, as we proceeded, were 
covered with foot and horse soldiers, going to join the army. 
I was frequently exposed to the insults of these troops, but I 
ought also to observe, that whenever a chief passed by, they 
pretended to pay me the utmost respect. Some soldiers had 
leather boots without soles, others straw hats ; all were covered 
with several cloths. Most of the muskets were in a very 
bad condition ; the stocks of some had been made by the 
Negroes themselves. Several were armed with lances, some 
with sabres; asses were loaded with the baggage of the 
principal officers of the army, for the private soldiers carried 
with them all that they wanted ; and among the rest their 
provisions, which consisted of a small calebash of water and a 
bag of dry couscous. Their powder-horns in general were 
nearly empty. In France, the soldiers spend their pay on their 
