TRAVELS IN AFRICA. IQ

never been done j and why he should have ex-

pected it on this occasion, was no less matter of

surprise than his haughty language and de-

portment. After much conversation, little of which was relevant to the question, he consent-

ed to our moving, which we did at four, p. m., and ascending a steep hill, so closely covered

with cane that we had more difficulty in passing

it than any former part of our path, the dry

leaves of the cane with which it was covered,

rendered the ground so slippery, that the men

with difficulty kept their feet; and that nothing

might be wanting to complete our confusion,

the Foolahs set fire to the dry grass and roots,

in which the place abounded. We fortunately

escaped without any injury, save the loss oftwo

asses that lay down unable to move further. It

was dark when we began to descend the east-

ern side of the hill, which, from the animals fre-

quently falling, occupied two hours. We reached

the Poosa, a small stream, at eleven, p. m., and encamped on its banks. Our want of the means

of conveyance was every day, nay every hour, be- coming more distressing ; carriers could not be

procured for all the loads of the animals that

died or were abandoned ; we therefore destroyed

two of our tents and a large quantity of flints

and musket balls.

The prince, observing Captain Campbell seat-

c 2