brue's second voyage* 
into his cabin, presented him with some choco- 
late. The king drank it with reHsh, having pre- 
viously, however, required a solemn assurance, 
that it contained neither hog's flesh nor wine. 
Notwithstanding these scruples, on brandy being 
presented, he drank it readily, and with the great- 
est apparent relish. 
The same evening Brue returned the king's 
visit. The palace, or rather hovel, in which this 
monarch resided, could scarcely be distinguished 
from those inhabited by the meanest of his sub- 
jects. Every thing bore the aspect of the most 
extreme poverty, over which he in vain attempted 
to throw a veil. The chiefs who raised him to 
the throne had not, it appears, taken any steps 
to provide him with a revenue ; and he had, as 
yet, no opportunity of collecting one from the 
usual sources. The presents made to him were 
received with the most ardent bursts of gratitude ; 
but he did not, according to the invariable custom 
of Africa, make any in return. The omission, 
however, did not offend the French, who were 
satisfied that it arose from no motive but that of 
having nothing to give. 
The wind becoming west, and thus favourable 
for ascending the river, Brue immediately set out 
to continue his voyage. He arrived soon at Baba 
Seghalie, the residence of Tonka Mouka, the de- 
posed king, who had still, it appears, a considera- 
VOL. I. Q 
