ii.o-q r i- -'r>. jelata. • ^ ^-^ 221 
The repast we made with such a slender stock of provisions, 
could not be expected to recruit my strength, for the fruit I 
had been constantly eating had disordered my stomach by 
their acidity or their crudity. , ^ . -^y-i .lass^^ ; 
April 6th. The exhaustion occasioned by want of food 
for three days, caused me to fall down several times in the 
course of the day from debility. Our way led entirely across 
mountains, composed of granite rocks. We had not proceeded 
five leagues, when the bleating of sheep, and the crowing of 
cocks, led us to hope that we should find provisions at Jelata. 
Unfortunately the Djalonkés who inhabited this village 
were not able to supply us. We prepared to depart fasting, 
when a Marabout who had been to the market of Labbé, sold me 
a kid for six grains of amber ; and a small measure of salt for 
one grain. It was so long since I had tasted salt, that I ate it 
with as much pleasure as if it had been sugar. Impatient at 
not seeing one of my guides come to kill my kid, I directed 
a Djalonke to perform this operation. A moment after Boubou 
and Boukari arrived. At the sight of the animal extended 
on the ground, their features assumed an angry expression, 
as if a great crime had been committed. " We wiM not eat of 
this kid," said Boukari to me, " for a Pagan has killed it." 
" But," answered I, " you accept his dinner if he offers it to 
you, you lodge in his hut ; are you then less guilty in the eyes 
of Mahomet?" "We should be guilty," they replied, "if 
^ touched this impure food." What answer could be made 
