144 
VOYAGE TO SENEGAL, 
mhile I reméned in the environs of Podor, this family con-r 
stantîy honoured me with their company. 
I i-eceived them with distinction, and under discharge of 
ennnon. We dined under a tent, which 1 had caused to be 
erected upon deck. Hamet Mocktar was a fine figure, large, 
SEiiâ well made ; he was covered with a scarlet cloak, embroider-, 
cd with yellow tinsel ; his hat was laced in the same manner, 
and he wore green half^boots. After the first compliments, he 
lj»egan to put himself at his ease by taking off his clothes ; and 
lï€, as well as the rest of his people, remained only in their 
sljirts. His brother had no mark of distin^^tion, but was dressed 
hke the other Moors. The qiieen, who appeared to be about 
thirty-live years old, was of an ordinary size, but so prodigiously 
fiit, that slie could not walk without the support of two men, 
w\iQ never (quitted her. The daughter was about sixteen or 
seventeen years old, and had a pleasant physiognomy ; her figure 
was perfectly handsome. Both mother and daughter w«ere dress-? 
cd accarding to the custom of the country, but they were 
covei-ed with gold and corals. 
Tlie dinner was very convivial, and the guests conducted[ 
themselves w ith the utmost decency and discretion, not the small-? 
est excess or disturbance taking place. During the whole time 
of dinner w^e were regaled by music of the king's band. 
in the evening the guests retired within the fort; and e\"ery 
succeeding morning they not only returned the visit, but remained 
with me the whole day. We o-ften went to walk on the banks 
of the river, ajid the k.ing's daughter wa3 aluays of the party. 
She taught me a few Arabic words, and I in return instructed 
her m French; in which slie made such progress, that before we 
sje^xirated, she could express her wishes, and ask for whatever 
wanted. The king and queen testified no uneasiness at the 
familiarities that passed between us. 
One day tiiis youag princess conceived she had a complaint 
against one~of my clerkxS, named Bourdonnois^ she having taken 
offence at a proposition which she did pot rightly understand, 
Hhe appealed to me, and relieved her mind by shedding tears, 
The kiîig coming in unexpectedly, and observing the s-tate of his 
daughter, fiew into a dreadful rage. I ordered the clerk to bç 
brou2.ht forward, and without wishing; to hear what he had ta 
say, gave orders, that he should be embarked,, and sent to Isle 
St. Louis: J was immediately obeyed. As he w^as going away, 
the king and his daughter relented, and intreated me to pardon 
liim. 1 pretended that 1 would not excuse him; but they press-, 
ed me to forgive him, and finding that I still refused, the prin- 
cess fell at my feet. I raised her immediately, and granted her 
request* As soon as she was suie that the man would be Ube-i 
