TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 91 the children (who were unable to walk or sit on horseback behind their captors) on their backs.

Th chiefs of the adjacent towns were summoned to attend an assembly on the l6th of March, when it was matter of discussion whether another attack should not be made on Bondoo before the departure of the Kaartans. It was, however, decided (much to my satisfaction) that nothing more should be done in that way, and the 18th of March was fixed for our departure. Having taken leave of Samba, and returned him thanks for his kindness in obtaining from Modiba the assistance I required, I lay down at a late hour on the night of the lyth of March, to take a little rest ; but my impatience to see that day break, which was about to give me the opportunity of another attempt towards accomplishing the object of the expedition, prevented my doing so : I therefore employed the time in packing up some dry provisions for our use until we could reach Kaarta. At day-light we commenced passing the animals and baggage to the north bank of the river, where, with the assistance of a canoe, all was safely landed soon after eight o'clock.

The animals were immediately loaded, and we moved forward to the ese., along the bank of the river through corn-grounds, until a quarter u 2