This favour vexed me exceedingly, by postponing the possibility of undertaking my journey. I felt that I possessed energy enough for something better than a negro driver and in my despair, instead of going to Richard Tol[38], according to my instructions, I set off for N’pâl, a village near St. Louis, without any other design than that of catching and stuffing birds for my livelihood. One of the grandees of the colony, from whom I had sent to beg the necessary instruments, replied to my messenger: “By all means; and then he will be of some use.” This reply, which was repeated to me, put me in a rage, and in the utmost indignation I left N’pâl to go to Richard Tol. On my arrival at this settlement, I was consoled by the kindness of M. Lelièvre, the gardener, who had the kindness to add some other provisions to the regular soldier’s allowance, which was all I could claim as overseer. Whilst I was discharging this office, with all the mortification of a man who feels that his business is beneath him I learnt the arrival of Baron Roger. At this intelligence I was transported with joy; I ran about in all directions in search of a vessel to take me to St. Louis, and if I could I would have swum thither. On landing, I hastened to present myself to our former governor; I delivered into his hands, the same day, the notes which I had taken during my stay with the Braknas; I accompanied them with a fresh application for assistance, or for an appointment, to enable me to perform my great journey—it was not granted! To any other person this would have been a thunderclap; but my resolution struck deeper and deeper root every day, and I had the courage to return to the charge. Then indeed, I was kindly promised a sum of money on my return from Timbuctoo.—On my return from Timbuctoo! And what if I died on the way? this idea so dreadful to a man, who in case of this misfortune would leave a sister whom he adored in a state of want, suggested my answer. I refused to make any arrangement; and I determined that, were I destined to die, I would at least leave an incontestable legacy to the friend of my childhood—the merit of having done all without help. I changed my plan, and asked for nothing but the hundred francs that were due to me as overseer. I had disdained to receive them before, but my poverty and the way in which I was abandoned rendered them indispensable.