f25S 
DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
him of life ; and the most moderate urged, that 
no time should be lost in removing him out of the 
country. His companion, however, pleaded 
powerfully in his favour ; and, when he began to 
open the stores with which he was provided, a 
wonderful revolution followed. The Farim un- 
dertook his cause, and soon brought over the 
people to the same disposition. At length he 
became the favourite of the whole city, and they 
began to thank heaven for having conducted him 
thither. He found no difficulty, therefore, in se- 
lecting a few from among the inhabitants to at- 
tend and introduce him in other cities. Where- 
ever he went he found always prejudices and op- 
position to encounter. The people of Silabuli 
wrote to their neighbours, that they acted like 
madmen in allowing a white man to enter their ter- 
ritory, and that he ought to be put to death with- 
out a moment's delay. Compagnon, however, 
by his address, and by the grateful arguments 
which he was able to employ, generally secured 
a favourable reception ; and was able, in the 
course of a year and a half, to traverse the most 
important districts of Bambouk. His great diffi- 
culty lay in procuring specimens of the ghinga7i^ 
or golden earth, which the region contained so 
copiously. This was sacred ground; and even 
those who were otherwise best disposed, consider- 
ed it almost as treason, that a stranger should 
