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Show PICTURE 0!' AFRICA AT HOME. 71 looked at me with silent wonder. The view of this extensive city; the numerous canoes upon the river; the crowded population, and the cultivated state of the surrounding country, formed altogether a prospect of civili. zation and magnificence, which I little expected to find .in the bosom of Africa. While waiting for a passage, the king having been informed that a white man was coming to see him, immediatcl y sent over one of his chief men, who informed me that the king could not possibly see me, until he knew what had brought me into hi• country, and that I must not presume to cross the river without the king's permission. He therefore advised me to lodge at a dis. tant village, to which he pointed, for the night, and said, that in the morning he would give me further instructions how to conduct myself: This was very discouraging.However, as there was no remedy, I set off for the vi!. lage, where I found, to my great mortification, that no person would admit me into his house. " I was regarded with astonishment and fear, and was obliged to sit all day without victuals mider the shade of a tree ; and the wind rose, and there was great appearance of heavy rain ; and the wild beasts are so very numerous in the n'eighborhood, that I shoald have been under the - necessity of climbing up the tree and resting amdngst the branches: About sunset, however, as I was about proposing to pass the night in this manner, and had turned my horse loose that he might graze at liberty, a woman returning from the labours of the field, stopped to observe me, and perceivin~ that I was weary and dejected, inquired into my situation, which I briefly explained to her: whereupon, with looks of great compassion, she took up my saddle and bridle and told me to follow her. Having conducted me into her hut, she lighted up a lamp, spread a mat on the floor, and told me I might remain there for tl,o night. Finding that I was hungry, she snid she would procure me something to eat. She accordingly went out and returned in a short time with a very fine fish, which having caused to be half broiled upon some embers, slm gave me for supper. The rites of hospitality being thus performed to. a stranger in distress, &c." "the~' resumrd |