opened the rings of his fetters, cut the rope, and made his escape;
more of them would probably have got off had they assisted each
other, but the slave no sooner found himself at liberty than he
refused to stop and assist in breaking the chain which was fastened
round the necks of his companions.

As all the slatees and slaves belonging to the coffle were now
assembled either at Kamalia or at some of the neighbouring villages,
it might have been expected that we should set out immediately for
Gambia; but though the day of our departure was frequently fixed, it
was always found expedient to change it. Some of the people had not
prepared their dry provisions; others had gone to visit their
relations; or collect some trifling debts; and, last of all, it was
necessary to consult whether the day would be a lucky one. On
account of one of these, or other such causes, our departure was put
off, day after day, until the month of February was far advanced,
after which all the slatees agreed to remain in their present
quarters until the FAST MOON WAS OVER. And here I may remark that
loss of time is an object of no great importance in the eyes of a
negro. If he has anything of consequence to perform, it is a matter
of indifference to him whether he does it to-day or to-morrow, or a
month or two hence; so long as he can spend the present moment with
any degree of comfort, he gives himself very little concern about
the future.

The fast of Ramadan was observed with great strictness by all the
bushreens, but instead of compelling me to follow their example, as
the Moors did on a similar occasion, Karfa frankly told me that I
was at liberty to pursue my own inclination. In order, however, to
manifest a respect for their religious opinions, I voluntarily