26 THE KXPLOKATION' OF THli NIGKR

a whole carriage full of natives against a huge baobab tree. Of course, when that happened no one thought the negroes

would patronize the railway again. But it turned out quite

the contrarj". From that day they came in crowds, but they had provided themselves with talismans!

The marabouts, who do a brisk business in charms, had

simply added a new string to their bo«-, for they sold gris'giis against the dangers of the iron road !

■i r

This is the negro all over. If he has but confidence in

his gris-grh, he will brave a thousand dangers. If he has but confidence in his chief, he will follow him without

hesitation, and without faltering to the end of the world.

Inspire him then with that confidence, and you will be able

to do anything with him.

Baudry had come to meet me on the line, and with him

was a negro wrapped up in a tampiisendbt', or native shawl. This man was Mandao, the interpreter I had asked for.