On the 14th, my guide at last resolved to take me to the mart; we arrived early in the day. I went on board la Désirée, belonging to a merchant of St. Louis, and borrowed of his agent a piece of Guinea cloth, some sugar, tobacco, and a little paper; I then wrote to the governor to acquaint him with my situation, and to beg him to give orders for the delivery of some goods, of which I had urgent need. As it would have been too long to wait at the port for an answer, and the anxiety of the Moor, my guide, increased daily, I resolved not to stay, but to return to the camp; I told him so, to his great surprise, but he begged me to wait till the next day; we passed the night on board. On the 15th of March, we returned to Podor for our beasts; and at two o’clock crossed the river again. An hassane, of the tribe of Oulad-Sihi, joined us; on the road we met a laratine, whom he asked for tobacco, and the hassane wanted to take his coussabe from him, but the other resisting, the hassane drew his poniard to stab him. This behaviour disgusted and incensed me the more, because we had just finished our prayers, and I did not comprehend how a man, who pretended to be a Musulman, could pass immediately from an act of devotion to robbery. At my intreaty, my companions went to the assistance of the poor laratine, and I could not restrain myself from reprimanding the offender, and threatening to report his conduct to Hamet-Dou; he replied, in an insolent tone, that I might tell him if I pleased, for he was not afraid of him. This fact shows how completely persons of his class despise authority; they acknowledge no law but that of the stronger. My reprimand irritated him, and I verily believe that, had it not been for my character of marabout, I should have suffered for my imprudent zeal. This event gave rise to many painful reflections: I said to myself, if they behave thus to their own countrymen, what would they not do to a stranger, a christian, without protection, in a country where no laws shield the indigent, and where the very circumstance of their being poor seems to expose them to greater persecution? What would become of me if my secret were discovered? A speedy death would be the greatest favour that I could expect, from their hatred to christians. On my return, however, I was welcomed with many and hearty salutations. The Moors were persuaded when I went away that I should never come back, and that I should escape from the port; many of them had advised Mohammed-Sidy-Moctar not to let me go. When they saw me again they all testified their great joy, and no longer doubted my conversion; they vied with each other in doing me honour.