the afternoon arrived at Kea, where, for forty kowries more, the
dooty permitted me to sleep in the same hut with one of his slaves.
This poor negro, perceiving that I was sickly, and that my clothes
were very ragged, humanely lent me a large cloth to cover me for the
night.

July 31.--The dooty's brother being going to Modiboo, I embraced the
opportunity of accompanying him thither, there being no beaten road.
He promised to carry my saddle, which I had left at Kea, when my
horse fell down in the woods, as I now proposed to present it to the
king of Bambarra.

We departed from Kea at eight o'clock, and about a mile to the
westward observed on the bank of the river a great number of earthen
jars piled up together. They were very neatly formed, but not
glazed, and were evidently of that sort of pottery which is
manufactured at Downie (a town to the west of Timbuctoo), and sold
to great advantage in different parts of Bambarra. As we approached
towards the jars my companion plucked up a large handful of herbage,
and threw it upon them, making signs for me to do the same, which I
did. He then, with great seriousness told me that these jars
belonged to some supernatural power; that they were found in their
present situation about two years ago; and as no person had claimed
them, every traveller as he passed them, from respect to the
invisible proprietor, threw some grass, or the branch of a tree,
upon the heap, to defend the jars from the rain.

Thus conversing, we travelled in the most friendly manner, until
unfortunately we perceived the footsteps of a lion, quite fresh in
the mud, near the river-side. My companion now proceeded with great