I know not whether this project appeared too vast, or whether the governor suspected me of imposition, but the scheme which I had adopted of pretending to be converted to Islamism insured the success of a journey which would have been impracticable to a christian. Whatever might be the reason, I obtained neither money nor the countenance of government; but M. Hugon apologised speciously enough for his refusal. “My strength,” he told me, “was inadequate to such an undertaking;” besides, government had not authorised him to dispose of so large a sum for such a purpose; moreover, M. Beaufort had already received twenty thousand francs to enable him to carry into execution a similar project. “Would it not be unfair,” he added, “to commission another person to undertake the same journey as that officer, and to furnish him with the means of outstripping him? M. Beaufort is at Bakel; he has almost attained the goal; let him follow his fate, and if he should unfortunately fail, we will then see what government can do to facilitate your design.” This reply, prudent and proper as it might be, cast me down to the ground. My situation became critical: I had come to St. Louis with several Moors, particularly a marabout who was to have accompanied me to Mecca; I was now compelled to dismiss him, and, more than that, I was forced to hide myself for many days, because the Braknas, who had brought me to St. Louis, having heard of my secret intentions, and enraged at being imposed upon by my feigned zeal for their religion, determined to do me a mischief. I should have deemed myself fortunate if the vengeance of the Moors had been all I had to fear; but every thing concurred to overwhelm me. The coldness of my patrons, the ridicule of all kinds to which I was exposed: nay, some went so far as to assert that I had undergone the initiatory operation of Islamism. One of my friends, seeing me reduced to the allowance of a common soldier, which had been granted to me out of compassion, warmly exhorted me to give up my plan, to relinquish my costume, and to return to business; but he was not aware of my persevering disposition, and doubted my courage. The taunts of Europeans only rendered my African costume more dear to me; I was proud of wearing it; I braved raillery and despised calumny, and, slighting the advantages which trade would have afforded me, I persisted in my projects. Besides, I knew that Baron Roger was to return, and I calculated upon the support of that excellent governor; with his aid I had no doubt that I should at last reach Timbuctoo. In the mean time, however, it was needful that I should be kept alive. In spite of my repugnance, I so far conquered my pride, as to apply to the governor _ad interim_, requesting him to pay for my board at the inn. My petition was granted more speedily than I expected, and I was offered a salary of fifty francs a month, as overseer of the negro workmen at one of our settlements on the river.