people, was courteously but
firmly declined. Indeed, Isaaco left nothing to chance. He first
fortified the lodgings assigned to him, and then set out to find
Sabila. But the King's spies who dogged his steps gave him the wrong
directions, and at last he abandoned the quest. It seemed clear that
Sabila did not wish him well. The next day the King sent word that he
would like to see Isaaco. It had to be. Taking his life in his hands,
as he had done a thousand times before, the old guide mounted his
horse and rode off to the royal quarters. On the way, a friend
whispered to him that he was betrayed; and on no account must he tell
the King that he was bound with presents to the King of Sego; for
there was not a being he hated and feared so much as that monarch, who
usurped his rightful throne. "But," replied Isaaco, "he knows already
I am bound there. To Sego I was sent and to Sego I must go unless
force or death prevents." Arrived at the King's door, Isaaco was told
that he was sleeping (yet another ruse) and that he must remain in the
guard-room. It was then about sunset. For hours Isaaco waited, but the
King slept on and not a soul of Isaaco's friends in the capital came
to relieve his suspense. They knew he was marked down to die. "The
only person," he writes, "who came to comfort me was a Griot, that is,
a dancing woman. On leaving me she went, as I afterwards learned, to
the Ambassadors of Sego and said to them: 'Oh! me, oh! me, my back is
broke (which is an expression of sorrow among the Cassoukes). They are
going to kill Isaaco.'"

V

Meantime, as the guards were dancing, singing, and drinking, Isaaco
stole out unperceived and made good use of his time. To the keeper of
the inn, with whom he had formerly stayed, and who had some influence
with the King, he gave one of his wives' necklaces and seven grains of
coral. From him he went to Madiguijou, a Counsellor of State,
explained his mission to Sego, and hinted what Governor Maxwell would
do if he were put to death. He even crept into Sabila's hut, and told
him the same thing; but the chief of the slaves smiled and promised
nothing. Isaaco plied him with more amber No. 1, but he "smiled and
smiled and still remained a villain." Then Isaaco thought it wiser to
get back into the guard-room, before the drunken soldiers grew sober
and looked for him. In the morning he played his last card by getting
into touch with the Ambassadors from Sego. These distinguished
gent