On the 14th of August, the chief came to visit me. He begged me to write him an amulet, and in order to render the grigri or charm the more efficacious he made me a present of a kid. The amulet which he wished to have was to preserve him from diseases in general: I promised to exert all my skill to satisfy him. It would have been imprudent to refuse what he asked; for, in spite of the precaution I had taken of telling him that I had left my country extremely young, he imagined that I could speak and write Arabic very well. Five or six Mandingoes of the village immediately seized the kid and skinned it. They took care to reserve for themselves the stomach of the animal, which they put on the fire and broiled without taking the trouble to wash it. They shared this dainty morsel with some persons whom curiosity attracted round them. They were very expeditious and had soon cut up the kid; and without ever asking my leave on the subject, they made presents of small pieces to the neighbours and relations of my host; for in this country meat is a great luxury and is only eaten on festival days. The people eat the flesh of goats and sheep only, for they have no bullocks. The negroes gave the old chief a shoulder of the kid for his supper, and the remainder was reserved for me and Baba’s family. Baba asked me what I intended to do with the skin of the animal. I consigned it to his disposal, and he immediately went and exchanged it for a lump of salt to season our meat, which was boiled in a large pot, and was destined to be kept for several days. The old negress, named Manman, a name very common throughout all the country, performed the office of cook. This good creature was very kind and attentive to me. She brought me herself twice a-day a little rice and tau, the food which composed all my meals. I gave my host a pair of scissors, with which he appeared much pleased: it was an article of great rarity and high price at Timé. On the 15th, I went to thank the chief for his present and gave him the amulet, which he received very gratefully. He immediately wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, which he rubbed over with wax and then enclosed it in another envelope, consisting of a piece of tanned sheep-skin. He tied this precious object with a little piece of string and hung it round his neck. He overwhelmed me with thanks and wished me a speedy return to my country.