but, from the conversation I had with the guide, I had afterward reason to believe that Mansong would willingly have admitted me into his presence at Sego ; but was apprehensive he might not be able to protect me, against the blind and inveterate malice of the Moorish inhabitants. His conduct, therefore, was at once prudent and liberal. The circumstances under which I made my appearance at Sego, were undoubtedly such as might create in the mind of the king, a well warranted suspicion that I wished to conceal the true object of my journey. He argued, probably, as my guide argued ; who, when he was told, that I had come from a great distance, and through many dangers, to behold the Joliba river, naturally inquired, if there were no rivers in my own country, and whether one river was not like another. Notwithstanding this, and in spite of the jealous machinations of the Moors, this benevolent prince thought it sufficient, that a white man was found in his dominions, in a condition of extreme wretchedness; and that no other plea was necessary to entitle the sufferer to his bounty. CHAPTER XVI. Departure from. Sego, and Arrival at Kabba— Description of the ■ Shea, or vegetable Butter 'tree.— The Author and his Guide arrive (it fansanding.— Behaviour of the Moors at that Place.— The Author pursues his Journey to the Eastward. — Incidents on the B.oad.— Arrives at Modiboo, and proceeds for Kea; but obliged to leave his Horse by the way.— Embarks at Ke a in a fishermans Canoe fo r Moorzan; is conveyed from thence across the Niger 'to Silla.— Determines to proceed no further Eastward.— Some Account of the further Course of the Niger, and the Towns in its Vicinage, towards the East. Joeing, in the manner that has been related, compelled to leave Sego, I was conducted the same evening to a village about seven miles to .the eastward, with some of the inhabitants of which my guide was acquainted, and by whom we were well received.* He was very friendly and communicative, and spoke highly of the hospitality of his countrymen ; but withal told me, that if Jenn6 was the place of my destination, which he seemed to have hitherto doubted, I had undertaken an enter- # I should have before observed, that I found the laflguage o f Bambarra, a sort o f corrupted Mandingo. After a little practice, I understood, and spoke it without difficulty*' D d
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