quick with heavy loads upon their heads occasioned spasmodic contractions of the legs; and we had not proceeded above a mile, before it was found necessary to take two of them from the rope, and allow them to walk more slowly until we reached Maraboo, a walled village, where some people were waiting to join the coffle. — From this place, we continued to travel with the greatest expedition, and in the afternoon crossed two small branches of the Kokoro. About sunset, we came in sight of a considerable town, nearly square, situated in the middle of a large and well cultivated plain: before we entered the town, we halted until the people who had fallen behind came up. During this day's travel, two slaves, a woman and a girl, belonging to a slatee at Bala, were so much fatigued that they could not keep up with the coffle. They were severely whipped, and dragged along until about three o'clock in the afternoon, when they were both affected with vomiting, by which it was discovered that they had eaten clay. This practice is by no means uncommon amongst the negroes, — but whether it arises from a vitiated appetite, or from a settled intention to destroy themselves, I cannot affirm.
"April 24th. — Before day-break, the bushreens [Mahometans] said their morning-prayers, and most of the free people drank a little moening (a sort of gruel), part of which was likewise given to such of the slaves as appeared least able to sustain the fatigues of the day. One of Karfa's female slaves was very sulky, and when some gruel was offered to her, she refused to drink it. As soon as day dawned, we set out, and
