142 PLANS FORMED AGAINST THE AUTHOR. 
for we were often on the point of falling, because the stones, 
being round, easily rolled from under our feet. 
.} i: I had scarcely returned to the village when one of my 
friends came in great alarm bringing tidings, which in truth 
were not very encouraging. " The Toucolor, at whom you 
presented your piece at Banai," said this Negro, " is just 
arrived to demand justice from Almamy, and he is supported 
by a powerful party ; I think it right to warn you," added he, 
" that two Imans, Mollet and Bella-Pinda, have endeavoured 
to prevail on Almamy to go to Banai ; intending to avail 
themselves of his absence to strip you of your property, and 
divide it between them, urging as a pretext for this injustice, 
that you are going to join and assist Sembaiassin. Mollet 
means to have your gun, and Bella-Pinda your horse ; never- 
theless it must be confessed, that Almamy, deaf to their 
insinuations, has declared that he has taken you under his 
protection, and that you shall go to Oulli ; because he places 
entire confidence in your word." 
I saw nothing but dangers on all sides ; whom could I 
henceforth trust, since one of these very Imans, Mollet, who 
might, perhaps, design to assassinate me, had come the even- 
ing before, taken me by the hand and enquired after my 
health ? then again the people who are often more watchful 
over and attentive to their interests than their chiefs, loudly 
repeated every day that I was going to the Bambaras. Not- 
withstanding Almamy 's favourable disposition towards me. 
