.w^ :vihHô1 mi- return TO BANDEIA/-"^' pnofl -XOM^'-' 269 
at the appearance of the ferocious animal which carried my 
merchandize as our young guides, they enjoined me to tie him 
up securely during the night. - - ^ ^ 
May 2d. This day's journey was extremely fatiguing; 
the paths across the mountains had become almost impassable , 
the torrents incessantly retarded our progress, and we could 
not reach Bandeia until dark. I went immediately to 
Boubou's hut and called him ; he instantly came out, and 
expressed great joy on seeing us again. As it was known that 
I should pay for any presents that were made me, all the 
women of the village were eager to bring me provisions. Whilst 
we were at supper, Boubou informed us, that Ali had returned 
to Bandeia two days before, and that he had revealed to him 
the secret of my mission ; he then boasted of having warmly 
defended me against two Negroes from Bondou, who asserted 
that I had gone to Fouta Diallon for no other purpose than to 
visit the sources of the rivers ; he had treated these Negroes 
as impostors, and had proved to them that they could not 
impute such a motive to me, as I had with me none of those 
instruments with which white men look at the sun. This con- 
versation naturally gave me great uneasiness ; the indiscretion 
of Ali, and the suspicions excited by the account of the 
Negroes from Bondou, exposed me every moment to the danger 
of being murdered, or at least plundered. 
I passed the 3d and 4th of May at Bandeia, proposing 
to remain there a few days longer, to recruit my strength and 
