210 DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON ALl'S CONDUCT. 
Moors, whom he also resembles in complexion as I have 
already observed. 
On my return to my hut, all the inhabitants of the 
village surrounded me, and began to converse on the vexations 
which I had just experienced. Boubou, a slave-dealer, who 
had accompanied us from Maramasita, exclaimed, that Alma- 
my would certainly revenge so flagitious an act of violence, 
and that Ali would be punished by the chief of Labbé, the 
lord of the village in which we were. Even the chief of 
Niebel, whom the threats of Ali had intimidated, likewise 
disapproved the conduct of this Iman, and protested that for 
his part, lest he should be accused of being an accomplice, 
he would not touch the presents which had been extorted 
from the white man. Other Negroes, on the contrary, cen- 
sured Ali for not taking every thing, and especially for not 
securing my horse, which would be more suitable for a chief 
of his rank, than for a miserable traveller like me. 
Well aware of the perils to which I was exposed in these 
mountains, the inhabitants of which, like all others who live 
in elevated situations are inclined to plunder, Î sought by 
every means in my power to gain the attachment of Boubou, 
who had displayed so much zeal in defending my cause, and 
in so disinterested a manner ; but this merchant told me that 
he could accompany me no further, his business detaining 
him at Niebel. Mortified at finding myself deserted by every 
one in a land of barbarians, I communicated my apprehen- 
