271 CHAPTER XII.

Report of Mr. Dochards Arrival in Kaarta-—My Departure for St. Joseph, and Meeting with Mr. D.—Return to Baquelle—Messenger sent to Sego—Arrival of Fleet from St. Louis—Mr. D.'s Return to the Coast,, and my final Determination—Visit to St. Joseph—Conduct of Almamy Bondoo—Return from St. Joseph—State of Affairs at Baquelle—Departure from thence—Delay at St.

Joseph—Assembly of Chiefs, &c. &c.

On the 30th of June I was informed by a Serrawolli merchant, who came direct from Dhyage, the capital of Kaarta, that Mr. Dochard had arrived at that place from Sego : but as I had found those people so little worthy of credit on most occasions, I doubted the correctness of his statement, particularly as he said he had seen Mr. Dochard, but brought no letter from him, although he was aware he should see me sooner than Mr. Dochard could himself. An opportunity offering, however, for my going to Fort St. Joseph, by a boat, on board which one of the French officers was proceeding to that place, I took advantage of it, in order to ascertain beyond a doubt whether Mr. Dochard had arrived, and if so to request Samba Congole to despatch a messenger without delay, to render him any assistance he might require.