332 
ARRIVAL AT GEBA. 
his lance, and threw down my cabin, saying, that a wretch 
like me ought to lie as they did in the open air.* I however 
passed hut one bad night, for the next day, the 9th of No- 
vember, we arrived at Geba. The commandant received me 
with the same kindness as he had shewn in my first visit, 
and lodged me at the house of an inhabitant of the factory. 
We were occupied until the 18th in procuring a guide, but 
it was impossible for us to purchase either a horse, an ass, or 
a bullock for me to ride on, in a country absolutely destitute 
of these animals. At length I engaged a guide to conduct 
me to Brouko on the Gambia ; he was the Mandingo who had 
afforded me hospitality in Kabou ; I met him accidentally at 
Geba ; his surprise at beholding me again was as great as if 
he had seen a spirit. Wlien he had received me into his 
house, I seemed ready to breathe my last, and he did not 
think it possible that I could surmount my sufferings ; the joy 
he felt on taking me by the hand, and assuring himself that 
I was the same white man whom he had entertained, was so 
lively that he spontaneously offered himself for my guide. 
At the moment we were about to depart on foot, having our 
baggage already upon our shoulders, the commandant sent 
* I did not think proper to mention this circumstance to the commandant 
of Geba, because he would probably not have rendered me justice, and it 
would besides have exposed me to the vengeance of these Negroes, as the 
testimony of Boukari would not have been sufficient for their condemnation. 
