brue's second voyage. 
^37 
were much surprised when they found them 
eagerly sought after, and purchased at high prices 
by Europeans. Many, on observing this, brought 
rats, and offered them for sale, expecting that the 
same taste would attach to them a similar value. 
The Director proceeded next to Ghiorel, 
whence he paid a visit to the Siratik, who receiv* 
ed him in the same amicable manner as before. 
The Dutch, it appeared, had sent an embassy, 
and endeavoured to draw him off from the French 
alliance, but without success. The monarch im- 
plored the assistance of Brue, to deliver him from 
an enormous lion, which was the terror of the 
district. The Director, accordingly, sent four of 
his negroes to attack this formidable animal. The 
lion was soon found, and the encounter took 
place. It was terrible ; he killed two negroes, 
and dangerously wounded a third, whom he would 
have despatched, had not the fourth, by a ha.ppy 
stroke, killed him on the spot. The carcase was 
borne in triumph to the palace, and the skin pre- 
sented to the French governor. 
Brue now left Ghiorel, and ascended the river. 
In passing Embakane, near the frontier of Gal- 
lam, a singular spectacle presented itself. The 
sun was suddenly darkened, and, on looking up- 
wards, they discovered the whole sky covered 
with an army of locusts, who were taking their 
flight across the river. The passage continued 
