356 
park's first journey. 
of the blacksmith, extol hng his courage, and ex- 
horting his friends to dress abundance of victuals 
for him. His relations testified the most extra- 
vagant joy at his return, and his aged blind 
mother was led out, leaning on a staff, to congra- 
tulate her son, who stroked his hands, arms, and 
face, and seemed greatly delighted. During this 
tumult of joy, when the attention of every one 
was so much absorbed that none of them observ- 
ed the white stranger, Mr Park seated himself 
beside one of the huts ; but when the negro pro- 
ceeded to detail his history, from the period of 
his leaving Kasson, and, after repeatedly mention- 
ing the kindness of the white traveller, pointing 
to the place, and exclaimed, *^ See km sitting 
" there," — their joy was converted into amaze- 
ment, the eyes of all were turned upon the stran- 
ger, and none could comprehend how he had ar- 
rived without being perceived. The women and 
children, however, could not conceal their appre- 
hensions at his appearance, nor be reconciled to 
it for some time, though the blacksmith declared 
him to be quite inoffensive. The gratitude of this 
negro was so great, that he refused to leave Mr 
Park while he remained at Kooniakary. On his 
way to Kooniakary, he visited Soola, where Salim 
Daucari, a respectable slatee, on whom he had a 
letter of credit from Dr Laidley, was accustomed 
to reside. Here he was received with the utmost 
