INTERVIEW WITH THE IMAN. 205 
tliiiiar ; that such was the want of water, that I had been 
compelled to go myself and fill my jar at the fountain ; 
that millet was so dear that I could not procure any. " [ 
know that thou art a just man," added I, "and that thou 
desirest not the death of the whites. If I am obliged to 
labour here I shall die with fatigue ; permit me to go then to 
Labbé, there I will remain if thou commandest, and wait lor 
the answer of Almamy, to whom I shall make a present. My 
chief ordered me to see him, and after that I shall return to 
St. Louis." This Iman was a Poula whose features and com- 
plexion exactly resembled those of the Moors. "The half of 
my countrymen," he replied, " detest Europeans ; the other half, 
who are merchants, like them much. Thou hast theretbre 
against thee aparty absolutely determined to oppose thy passage ; 
remain here two days, and I will supply thee with guides who 
shall conduct thee safely to Labbé. Thou art at present in the 
territories of Almamy ; thou canst not proceed without his 
permission and mine." I pretended to be satisfied with this 
decision, and replied, that I should cheerfully obey him : he 
then dismissed me, and I put up my present for another 
time. 
The wife of Ali, sister to Almamy, came to see me. 
This princess was on the wane. A blue Guinea cloth composed 
her dress ; strings of yellow amber loaded her hair, she was 
constantly chewing tobacco ; effrontery was imprinted on her 
countenance ; the imperious air with which she entered my 
