278 THE AUTHOR QUITS BAN DEI A. 
Ali, who seemed to be sincerely attached to me, as he had 
come from time to time to sell me secretly the provisions 
which I needed, told me news one evening calculated to 
excite my utmost attention. Boubou had wished to induce 
the inhabitants of Timbéré, a neighbouring village, to kill me 
that they might seize the wealth which I possessed ; but 
these w^orthy men, indignant at the cruel manner in which he 
treated me, drove him from amongst them, and reproached 
him with his ingratitude for wishing to assassinate a white 
man, who had given him so much. Boubou far from being 
discouraged on w itnessing the indignation which his conduct 
produced, had informed the Chief of Labbé, that I had been 
to visit the sources ; and this chief was about to come and 
interrogate me on the subject. 
The danger was imminent ; it was necessary for me to 
depart or make up my mind to perish. On the 6th of June, 
I promised Ali a large reward, if he would conduct me 
to the Portuguese establishments ; he consented, on con- 
dition that I should set off alone with Boukari, promising 
to join me out of the village ; 1 seated myself on my 
ass, for my weakness prevented me from walking ; it was 
even so great, that my faithful Boukari had to support me 
as we proceeded. I stipposed Boubou to be absent, and igno- 
rant of our departure. 
The sun had not risen when we arrived on the banks of 
the river of Bandéia, which was considerably swelled by the 
