ul
colours; so that when the sun darts upon it, it is as pleasing a sight
as can be imagined.--The merchant that brought me from Bournou, was in
partnership with another gentleman who accompanied us; he was very
unwilling that he should take me from home, as, he said, he foresaw many
difficulties that would attend my going with them.--He endeavoured to
prevail on the merchant to throw me into a very deep pit that was in the
valley, but he refused to listen to him, and said, he was resolved to
take care of me: but the other was greatly dissatisfied; and when we
came to a river, which we were obliged to pass through, he purpos'd
throwing me in and drowning me; but the Merchant would not consent to
it, so that I was preserv'd.

We travel'd 'till about four o'clock every day, and then began to make
preparations for night, by cutting down large quantities of wood, to
make fires to preserve us from the wild beasts.--I had a very unhappy
and discontented journey, being in continual fear that the people I was
with would murder me. I often reflected with extreme regret on the kind
friends I had left, and the idea of my dear mother frequently drew tears
from my eyes.--I cannot recollect how long we were in going from Bournou
to the Gold Coast; but as there is no shipping nearer to Bournou than
that City, it was tedious in travelling so far by land, being upwards of
a thousand miles.--I was heartily rejoic'd when we arriv'd at the end of
our journey: I now vainly imagin'd that all my troubles and inquietudes
would terminate here; but could I have looked into futurity, I should
have perceiv'd that I had much more to suffer than I had before
experienc'd, and that they had as yet but barely commenc'd.

I was now more than a thousand miles from home, without a friend or any
means to procure one. Soon after I came to the merchant's house I heard
the drums beat remarkably loud, and the trumpets blow--the persons
accustom'd to this employ, are oblig'd to go upon a very high structure
appointed for that purpose, that the sound might be heard at a great
distance: They are higher than the steeples are in England. I was
mightily pleas'd with sounds so entirely new to me, and was very
inquisitive to know the cause of this rejoicing, and ask'd many
questions concerning it: I was answer'd that it was meant as a
compliment to me, because I was Grandson to the King of Bournou.

This account gave me a secret pleasure; but I was not suffer'd long