We had not halted here above an hour, when three of Isaaco's people and

two asses came back; and with their help we arrived at _Sobee_ at seven

o'clock. On the road we passed the _last_ of the St. Jago asses, the

whole forty having either died or been abandoned on the road at

different places. We were all very wet, for it rained almost the whole

way; and all very hungry, having tasted nothing since the preceding

evening. The town of _Sobee_ has changed its situation _three_ times. It

was taken about ten years ago by Daisy, King of Kaarta, with thirteen

horsemen and some of his slaves on foot. They carried off five hundred

slaves, two hundred of which were women. Such as escaped rebuilt the

town about a mile to the East of its former situation; but when it had

acquired some degree of prosperity, it was destroyed by Mansong, King of

Bambarra. The present town is built nearer the foot of the hills; part

of it is walled, which serves as a sort of citadel. There is plenty of

corn and rice here on moderate terms; but they have not yet had time to

recruit their herds of cattle.

July 31st.--Rained hard all the morning, and flying showers all day.

Halted at _Sobee_. During the night one of the town's-people attempted

to steal one of the soldier's pieces, some of which were standing

against a tree close to the tent. Lieutenant Martyn was sleeping under

the tree; and hearing somebody moving the muskets, he no sooner observed

that it was a Negro, than he snatched one of the muskets and fired at

the thief as he was running off with one of the muskets. Whether the

ball touched him or not we could not learn; but the thief dropped the

musket, and we found it with the pouch and bayonet in the morning.

August 1st.--Early this morning purchased an ass for a pistol, a baft,

and a Mandingo cloth. We set out at seven o'clock. Immediately on the

East of the town came to another stream flowing towards the S.S.W. It

was so deep, that the whole of the bundles had to be carried over on

men's heads. During this, being surrounded by thieves on all sides,

Isaaco unfortunately struck two of the soldiers; which action had nearly

cost him his life, one of the soldiers attempting to stab him with his

bayonet, when Mr. Anderson prevented him; and as I reproved Isaaco for

his conduct in the sharpest manner, he went off in a _pet_ with his

people, leaving us to find our way across the river in the best manner

we could. I hired four people to carry over the loads; and stood myself

as sentry over the thieves. In this manner the whole of the baggage was

carried over with much less loss than we had sustained at any other

river. The asses were swam over, and the whole only cost one string of

No. 5; but I had to pay fifty stones to the Dooty's son for asses going

on the corn. As soon as all was over we loaded the asses and set

forwards. At sunset we reached _Balanding_. We had only time to pitch

our tent, when the rain came on; indeed we had no time for cooking our

victuals, for though all the soldiers cooked, yet the rain came on

before our kettle was ready; and Messrs. Anderson, Scott, Martyn, and

myself, all slept without having tasted any thing during the day.

August 2d.--Rainy. Halted at Balanding.

August 3d.--Sun rose E. 3°S. Departed from Balanding, and halted at

Balandoo, a walled village about four miles to the East by South. Bought

two sheep for one barraloolo.

August 4th.--Departed from Balandoo. About a mile to the East saw the

hill of Sobee bearing N.W. by compass. About this place Lawrence Cahill,

one of the soldiers, who had complained of sickness for some days, fell

behind; and I hired a person to drive his ass, telling him to come on at

his leisure. At eleven o'clock crossed a stream running S.E. which gave

us great trouble, the banks being very steep and slippery. Crossed the

same stream again at half past twelve, running E. by N. In the course of

this day's march four of the soldiers were unable to attend to their

asses. Mr. Scott, being very sick, rode my horse; and I drove one of the

asses. So very much weakened were the men, that when their loads fell

off, they could not lift them on again. I assisted in loading thirteen

asses in the course of the march. We reached Koolihori at three o'clock.

This town is partly walled; but the greater part of the huts are without

the walls. As soon as the tents were pitched, the rain commenced, and

continued all night. We had not time to cook, and the rain prevented the

watch fire from burning; owing to which one of our asses was killed by

the wolves. It was only sixteen feet distant from a bush under which one

of the men was sleeping.

August 5th.--Morning hazy. Halted, resolving to travel at two o'clock,

and sleep in the woods, the Ba Woolli being too far to reach in one

march. Bought some ripe maize of this year's growth.

° ' "

Obser. mer. alt. Sun-- 172 45 0

---------

86 22 0-1/2

0 16 0

---------

86 38 0-1/2

---------

3 22 0

17 3 0

---------

Latitude-- 13 41 0

The whole route from Bangassi is marked with ruined towns and villages;

some of them are rebuilt, but by far the greater number are still in

ruins. We saw scarcely any cattle on the route, and the avidity of the

people of Koolihori for animal food, or perhaps their own peculiar

taste, made them eat what the wolves had left of our ass. The wolves had

eat only the bowels and heart, &c. so that the people had the four

quarters and head. The day having clouded up for rain, resolved to halt

here for the night. In the course of the afternoon Lawrence Cahill came

up; but William Hall, who had gone into a ruined hut near the road, and

who did not appear to be very sick, did not arrive. Suspected that he

might be killed by the wolves in the hut during the night. At sun-set

had all the asses properly tied near the tents; and watched myself with

the sentries all night, as the wolves kept constantly howling round us.

CHAPTER V.

Departure from Koolihori--Ganifarra--Scarcity of provisions--Distressing

situation of the Author from deaths and sickness of the party--Escapes

from three lions--Intricate route to Koomikoomi--Dombila--Visit from

Karfa Taura--View of the Niger--Reduced state of the party--Bambakoo--

Losses from wolves--Bosradoo; embark on the Niger; incidents in the

voyage to Marraboo--Isaaco sent to Sego with presents for Mansong--

Message from Mansong--Course to Koolikorro--Deena--Yamina--Samee--

Return of Isaaco; account of his interview with Mansong--Messengers

sent by Mansong, and enquiries respecting the Author's journey--Quit

Samee--Excessive heat--Reach Sansanding--Account of that city and its

trade--Death of Mr. Anderson--Preparations for continuing the voyage

eastward--Information collected respecting various districts.

CHAPTER V.

August 6th.--Having hired two more ass drivers at one bar and their

victuals per day, we left Koolihori early in the morning, and travelled

with considerable dispatch till three o'clock; at which time we reached

Ganifarra, a small beggarly village. In the course of this march _L.

Cakill_ and _J. Bird_, two of the soldiers, and _William Cox_, one of

the seamen, fell behind, and laid down. As soon as the front of the

coffle had reached Ganifarra, it came on a very heavy rain. Being in the

rear I was completely drenched; and two of the asses carrying four

trunks, in which were the gun stocks, pistols, looking glasses, &c. fell

down in a stream of water near the town, and all the contents were

completely wet. I could purchase nothing here, not so much as a fowl.

Served out a short allowance of rice, being very short of that article.

August 7th.--During the night, some person had stolen one of our best

asses; and as the load must be left if we could not recover it, Isaaco's

people having traced the foot marks to a considerable distance, agreed

to go in search of it. Isaaco gave them the strictest orders, if they

came up to the thief in the woods to shoot him; and, if not, to follow

him to a town and demand the ass from the Dooty; if he refused to give

it up, to return as soon as possible.

Spent the day in drying such things as were wet; cleaned and greased

with Shea butter all the ornamented pistols, _ten pair_. Dried the

looking glasses, which were quite spoiled. In the afternoon sent two of

the natives away with goods to a neighbouring town to purchase rice and

corn. At sun-set _Bird_ came up, but had seen nothing of _Cox_ nor

_Cahill_.

August 8th.--People not yet returned. Opened the trunk which contained

the double barrelled gun stocks; cleaned and greased them. About noon

people returned with the rice and corn, but not quite sufficient for one

day. Nearly at the same time Isaaco's people came up with the ass; they

had traced his foot-marks past Koolihori, and found him at Balandoo. Did

not see the thief, but learned his name; which Isaaco promised to write

to his friend at Bangassi, to inform Serinummo of him. In the afternoon

agreed with the Dooty for thirty five bars to carry every thing over.

Rained heavily all the evening.

August 9th.--Michael May, a soldier, having died during the night,

buried him at day break. Had all the loads taken to the crossing place

by eight o'clock. The Ba Woolli is nearly of the same size as the one we

formerly crossed of that name; it appeared to be exceedingly deep, and

flowed at the rate of four or five miles per hour. There is a very good

canoe here, which can carry over four ass loads at once. As it

threatened rain, sent over three men with one of the tents, and pitched

it on the East side about half a mile from the river; the ground near

the bank being marshy. Hired people to carry down the bundles, and put

them into the canoe; and others to receive them on the other side, and

carry them up the bank; so that the soldiers had nothing to move, being

all weak and sickly.

By one o'clock all the baggage was over; but we found some difficulty in

transporting the asses; the rapidity of the stream swept the canoe and

the first six past the landing place; and they went so far down the

river, that I really thought the asses must be drowned; which would have

been an irreparable loss in our situation. However, by the exertions of

the Negroes, who swam in with ropes to the canoe, the asses were landed

on the other side; where they stood by the water's edge until the

Negroes with their corn hoes made a path for them up the steep bank. To

prevent such an accident, we took the ropes from several of our loads,

and fastened them together, so as to reach across the river; with this

we hauled over the loaded canoe, and the Negroes paddled it back when

empty. In this manner all the asses and horses were swam over without

any loss.

When the bundles were all carried up to the tent, we found that we had

not more rice than was barely sufficient for the present day; and as no

more could be purchased, we had no alternative, but to march early in

the morning for Bambarra; the distance by all accounts would not exceed

fourteen or fifteen miles.

August 10th.--William Ashton declared that he was unable to travel; but

as there was no place to leave him at, I advised him to make an exertion

and come on, though slowly, till he should reach a place where he could

have food. At eight o'clock set forwards; and travelled very

expeditiously without halting till four in the afternoon, at which time

the front of the coffle reached _Dababoo_, a village of Bambarra. Being

in the rear, I found many of the men very much fatigued with the length

of the journey and the heat of the day. At half past four I arrived with

the ass I drove at a stream flowing to the Westwards.

Here I found many of the soldiers sitting, and Mr. Anderson lying under

a bush, apparently dying. Took him on my back, and carried him across

the stream, which came up to my middle. Carried over the load of the ass

which I drove, got over the ass, Mr. Anderson's horse, &c. Found myself

much fatigued, having crossed the stream sixteen times. Left here four

soldiers with their asses, being unable to carry over their loads.

Having loaded my ass and put Mr. Anderson on his horse, we went on to

the village; but was sorry to find that no rice could be had, and I was

only able to buy one solitary fowl.

August 11th.--Bought a small bullock of the Moorish breed for one

barraloolo; and having purchased some corn, had it cleaned and dressed

for the people instead of rice. This morning hired Isaaco's people to go

back, and bring up the loads of the soldiers who had halted by the side

of the stream. In the course of the day all the loads arrived; but was

sorry to find that in the course of the last two marches we had lost

_four men_, viz. _Cox_, _Cahill_, _Bird_, and _Ashton_. Mr. Anderson

still in a very dangerous way, being unable to walk or sit upright. Mr.

Scott much recovered. I found that I must here leave one load, one of

the horses being quite finished. Left the _seine nets_ in charge of the

Dooty, till I should send for them.

August 12th.--Rained all the morning. About eleven o'clock, the sky

being clear, loaded the asses. None of the Europeans being able to lift

a load, Isaaco made the Negroes load the whole. Saddled Mr. Anderson's

horse; and having put a sick soldier on mine, took Mr. Anderson's horse

by the bridle, that he might have no trouble but sitting upright on the

saddle. We had not gone far before I found one of the asses with a load

of gunpowder, the driver (Dickinson) being unable to proceed (I never

heard of him afterwards); and shortly after the sick man dismounted from

my horse, and laid down by a small pool of water, refusing to rise.

Drove the ass and horse on before me. Passed a number of sick. At half

past twelve o'clock Mr. Anderson declared he could ride no farther. Took

him down and laid him in the shade of a bush, and sat down beside him.

At half past two o'clock he made another attempt to proceed; but had not

rode above an hundred yards before I had to take him down from the

saddle, and lay him again in the shade. I now gave up all thoughts of

being able to carry him forwards till the cool of the evening; and

having turned the horses and ass to feed, I sat down to watch the

pulsations of my dying friend. At four o'clock four of the sick came up;

three of them agreed to take charge of the ass with the gunpowder; and I

put a fourth, who had a sore leg, on my horse, telling him if he saw Mr.

Scott on the road to give him the horse.

At half past five o'clock, there being a fine breeze from the South

West; Mr. Anderson agreed to make another attempt, and having again

placed him on the saddle, I led the horse on pretty smartly in hopes of

reaching Koomikoomi before dark. We had not proceeded above a mile,

before we heard on our left a noise very much like the barking of a

large mastiff, but ending in a hiss like the fuf [Footnote: Thus is Mr.

Park's MS] of a cat. I thought it must be some large monkey; and was

observing to Mr. Anderson "what a bouncing fellow that must be," when we

heard another bark nearer to us, and presently a third still nearer,

accompanied with a growl. I now suspected that some wild animal meant to

attack us, but could not conjecture of what species it was likely to be.

We had not proceeded an hundred yards farther, when coming to an opening

in the bushes, I was not a little surprised to see three lions coming

towards us. They were not so red as the lion I formerly saw in

Barnbarra, [Footnote: Park's Travels, p. 208] but of a dusky colour,

like the colour of an ass. They were very large, and came bounding over

the long grass, not one after another, but all abreast of each other. I

was afraid, if I allowed them to come too near us, and my piece should

miss fire, that we should be all devoured by them. I therefore let go

the bridle, and walked forwards to meet them. As soon as they were

within a long shot of me, I fired at the centre one. I do not think I

hit him; but they all stopt, looked at each other, and then bounded away

a few paces, when one of them stopt, and looked back at me. I was too

busy in loading my piece to observe their motions as they went away, and

was very happy to see the last of them march slowly off amongst the

bushes. We had not proceeded above half a mile farther, when we heard

another bark and growl close to us amongst the bushes. This was

doubtless one of the lions before seen, and I was afraid they would

follow us till dark, when they would have too many opportunities of

springing on us unawares. I therefore got Mr. Anderson's call, and made

as loud a whistling and noise as possible. We heard no more of them.

Just at dark we descended into a valley where was a small stream of

water; but the ascent on the opposite side was through a species of

broken ground, which I have never seen any where but in Africa. It is of

the following nature. A stratum of stiff yellow clay fourteen or twenty

feet thick, (which, unless when it rains, is as hard as rock) is washed

by the annual rains into fissures of a depth equal to the thickness of

the stratum. There is no vegetation on these places, except on the

summit or original level. Amongst these horrid gullies I unfortunately

lost sight of the footmarks of the asses which had gone before; and

finding no way to get out, led the horse up a very steep place in order

to gain the original level, hoping there to find the foot path. But

unluckily the ground was all broken as far as I could see; and after

travelling some little way, we came to a gulley which we could not

cross; and finding no possibility of moving without the danger of being

killed by falling into some of these ravines, or over some precipice, I

thought it advisable to halt till the morning. On this rugged summit we

fell in with Jonas Watkins, one of the sick; and with his assistance I

lighted a fire. Wrapped Mr. Anderson in his cloak, and laid him down

beside it. Watched all night to keep the fire burning, and prevent our

being surprised by the lions, which we knew were at no great distance.

About two o'clock in the morning two more of the sick joined us. Mr.

Anderson slept well during the night, and as soon as day dawned,

August 13th,--having found the footmarks of the asses, and having with

difficulty even in day light traced our way through this labyrinth, we

found Mr. Scott and three more of the sick. They too had lost their way,

and had slept about half a mile to the East of us. We reached Koomikoomi

at ten o'clock. This is an unwalled village, but surrounded with

extensive corn fields.

August 13th.--Halted; rested at Koomikoomi

August 14th.--Jonas Watkins died this morning; buried him. Halted here

to day to see which way Mr. Anderson's fever was likely to terminate;

and in the mean time sent two loaded asses forward to Doombila, the

asses to return in the evening and carry loads to-morrow morning.

° ' "

Obser. Mer. Alt. ---- ---- 177 7 0

0 32 0

------------

177 39 0

------------

88 49 0-1/2

-------------

Z D. ---- 1 11 0

D. 14 8 0

-------------

Latitude ---- 12 57 0 [*]

-------------

[Footnote *: Mr. Park took a wrong day's declination, i.e. the 15th

instead of the 14th. It should be,

° ' "

ZD. ---- ---- 1 11 0

Dec. ---- ---- 14 27 29

---------------

Latitude ---- ---- 13 16 29

---------------

]

It is a common observation of the Negroes, that when the Indian corn is

in blossom the rain stops for eleven days. The stopping of the rain

evidently depends on the sun approaching the zenith of the place; the

sun by this day's observation being only seventy-one miles North of us:

and it is a wonderful institution of providence, that at this time the

maize here is all in full blossom; and on passing through the fields,

one is like to be blinded with the pollen of the male flowers.

August 15th.--Having slung a cloak like a hammock under a straight

stick, had Mr. Anderson put into it, and carried on two men's heads: two

more following to relieve them. Mr. Scott complained this morning of

sickness and head ach. Made one of the soldiers saddle Mr. Anderson's

horse for him; and having seen him mount, and given him his canteen with

water, I rode forwards to look after four Negroes whom I had hired to

carry loads on their heads; but being strangers, I was apprehensive they

might run away with them. Found every thing going on well; and we

travelled with such expedition, that we reached Doombila in four hours

and a half, though the distance cannot be less than sixteen or eighteen

miles, nearly South. It rained hard all the afternoon, and it was not

till dark that all the sick soldiers came up. Only three of the soldiers

were able to drive their asses to day.

When I entered the town I was happy to meet _Karfa Taura_, [Footnote:

Park's Travels, p. 253.] the worthy Negro mentioned in my former

travels; he heard a report at _Boori_ (where he now resides) that a

coffle of white people were passing through Fooladoo for Bambarra; and

that they were conducted by a person of the name of Park, who spoke

Mandingo. He heard this report in the evening; and in the morning he

left his house, determined if possible to meet me at Bambakoo, a

distance of six days travel. He came to Bambakoo with three of his

slaves to assist me in going forward to Sego, but when he found I had

not come up, he came forwards to meet me. He instantly recognised me,

and you may judge of the pleasure I felt on seeing my old benefactor.

At four o'clock, as Mr. Scott had not come up, and the people in the

rear had not seen him lately, I sent one of Isaaco's people back on my

horse as far as the next village, suspecting that he might have halted

there when the rain came on. The man returned after dark, having been

nearly at Koomikoomi without seeing or hearing any thing of Mr. Scott.

We all concluded that he had returned to Koomikoomi.

August 17th--Halted at Doombila in order to dry the baggage, and in

hopes of Mr. Scott coming up. Told the four Negroes, who carried Mr.

Anderson, and who returned to Koomikoomi this morning, to make every

possible enquiry concerning Mr. Scott; and if he was able to ride, I

would pay them handsomely for coming with him. If he had returned to

Koomikoomi, I desired them to assure the Dooty that I would pay for

every expence he might incur, and pay for a guide to conduct him to

Marraboo. Received from the Dooty of Doombila a small bullock and a

sheep. Paid him a barraloolo, five bars of amber, and fifty gun flints.

August 18th.--Hearing no account of Mr. Scott, concluded he was still at

Koomikoomi, but unable to travel. At seven o'clock left Doombila, and as

the asses were now very weak, it was not long before I had to dismount

and put a load on my horse. Only one of the soldiers able to drive an

ass. Road very bad; did not reach _Toniba_ till sun set, being a

distance of eighteen or twenty miles S.E. by S. Mr. Anderson's bearers

halted with him at a village on the road, where there was some good

beer. As soon as we had pitched the tent, it began to rain, and rained

all night; the soldiers run all into the village. I passed a very

disagreeable night, having to keep our asses from eating the people's

corn, which caused me to keep walking about almost the whole night.

In case it should escape my memory, I take this opportunity of

observing, that the standard law of Africa runs thus: If an ass should

break a single stem of corn, the proprietor of the corn has a right to

seize the ass; and if the owner of the ass will not satisfy him for the

damage he thinks he has sustained, he can _retain_ the ass. He cannot

_sell_ or _work_ him, but he can _kill_ him; and as the Bambarrans

esteem ass-flesh as a great luxury, this part of the law is often put in

force.

August 19th.--Mr. Anderson's bearers having brought him forward early in

the morning, we immediately loaded the asses, and departed from Toniba

(Sergeant McKeal appears to be slightly delirious). We kept ascending

the mountains to the South of Toniba till three o'clock, at which time

having gained the summit of the ridge which separates the Niger from the

remote branches of the Senegal, I went on a little before; and coming to

the brow of the hill, I _once more saw the Niger_ rolling its immense

stream along the plain!

After the fatiguing march which we had experienced, the sight of this

river was no doubt pleasant, as it promised an end to, or to be at least

an alleviation of our toils. But when I reflected that three-fourths of

the soldiers had died on their march, and that in addition to our weakly

state we had no carpenters to build the boats, in which we proposed to

prosecute our discoveries; the prospect appeared somewhat gloomy. It

however afforded me peculiar pleasure, when I reflected that in

conducting a party of _Europeans_, with immense baggage, through an

extent of more than five hundred miles, I had always been able to

preserve the most friendly terms with the natives. In fact, this journey

plainly demonstrates, 1st. that with common prudence any quantity of

merchandize may be transported from the Gambia to the Niger, without

danger of being robbed by the natives: 2dly, that if this journey be

performed in the dry season, one may calculate on losing not more than

three or at most four men out of fifty.

But to return to the Niger. The river was much swelled by the rains, but

did not appear to overflow its banks. It certainly is larger even here

than either the Senegal or the Gambia. We descended with difficulty down

the steep side of the hill towards Bambakoo, which place we reached at

half past six o'clock, and pitched our tents under a tree near the town.

Of thirty-four soldiers and four carpenters, who left the Gambia, only

six soldiers and one carpenter reached the Niger.

During the night the wolves carried away two large cloth bundles from

the tent door to a considerable distance; where they eat off the skins

with which they were covered, and left them.

August 20th--Received a bullock from the Dooty as a present. It was in

the afternoon, and we fastened it to the tree close to the tent, where

all the asses were tied. As soon as it was dark the wolves tore its

bowels out, though within ten yards of the tent door where we were all

sitting. The wolves here are the largest and most ferocious we have yet

seen.

August 21st.--Dried a bundle of beads, the strings of which were all

rotten with the rain. Opened a leather bag which contained about thirty

pounds of gunpowder for present use. Found it all wet and damaged.

Spread it out in the sun; resolved to make something of it. Spoke for a

canoe to carry down the baggage to Marraboo, the river being navigable

over the rapids at this season. In the course of our march from Toniba

to Bambakoo, we lost Sergeant _McKeil_, _Purvey_, and _Samuel Hill_.

August 22nd.--Early in the morning had all the bundles put on the asses,

and carried to the place of embarkation, which is a village called

Bossradoo, about a mile and a half East of Bambakoo. It rained hard all

the forenoon. The canoes could not carry any of the soldiers, or any

person except two to look after the goods. I resolved to go down with

Mr. Anderson, leaving Mr. Martyn to come down with the men by land. They

rode on the asses.

We embarked at ten minutes past three o'clock. The current, which is

nearly five knots per hour, set us along without the trouble of rowing

any more than was necessary to keep the canoe in the proper course. The

river is full an English mile over, and at the rapids it is spread out

to nearly twice that breadth. The rapids seem to be formed by the river

passing through a ridge of hills in a South Easterly direction: they are

very numerous, and correspond with the jetting angles of the hills.

There are _three_ principal ones, where the water breaks with

considerable noise in the middle of the river; but the canoe men easily

avoided them by paddling down one of the branches near the shore. Even

in this manner the velocity was such as to make me sigh.

We passed two of the principal rapids, and three smaller ones, in the

course of the afternoon. We saw on one of the islands, in the middle of

the river, a large elephant; it was of a red clay colour with black

legs. I was very unwell of the dysentery; otherwise I would have had a

shot at him, for he was quite near us. We saw three hippopotami close to

another of these islands. The canoe men were afraid they might follow us

and overset the canoes. The report of a musket will in all cases

frighten them away. They blow up the water exactly like a whale. As we

were gliding along shore, one of the canoe men speared a fine turtle, of

the same species as the one I formerly saw, and made a drawing of in

Gambia. At sun set we rowed to the shore, landed on some flat rocks, and

set about cooking the turtle and rice for our supper; but before this

aldermanic repast was half dressed, the rain came on us, and continued

with great violence all night.

August 23d.--At day break embarked again, very wet and sleepy. Passed

the third rapid, and arrived at Marraboo at nine o'clock. Our guide soon

found a large passage hut in which to deposit our baggage, for one stone

of small amber per load. We carried the whole of it up in a few minutes.

In the evening Mr. Martyn arrived, and all the people, except two, who

came up next day.

August 24th.--Received from the Dooty a small black bullock in a

present, which our guide would not allow us to kill, it being of a jet

black colour. The Dooty's name is Sokee; and so superstitious was he,

that all the time we remained at Marraboo he kept himself in his hut,

conceiving that if he saw a white man, he would never prosper after.

August 25th--Paid Isaaco goods to the full value of two prime slaves,

according to agreement. I likewise gave him several articles; and I told

him, that when the palaver was adjusted at Sego, he should then have all

the asses and horses for his trouble.

August 26th.--Took out such things as I meant to give to Mansong, viz.

A handsome silver plated tureen.

*Two double barrelled guns, silver mounted.

Two pair of pistols mounted in the same manner.

A sabre with Morocco scabbard.

Thirty-two yards scarlet broad cloth.

Twelve ditto blue.

Twelve ditto yellow.

Twelve ditto light green.

*Half a load of gunpowder, or two kegs and a half.

To Mansong's eldest son Da.

*A double barrelled gun, silver mounted.

A pair of pistols, ditto.

A sabre, ditto.

I wished to put a stop to the malicious reports of the Moors and

Mahomedans at Sego as soon as possible. I therefore resolved to send

Isaaco forward to Sego with all the articles beforementioned, except

those marked thus [Symbol: *], which I desired him to say to Modibinne

would be given as soon as I heard accounts that Mansong would befriend

us. This Modibinne is Mansong's prime minister; he is a Mahomedan, but

not intolerant in his principles. Isaaco accordingly departed on the

28th with his wife and all his goods. Ever since my arrival at Marraboo

I had been subject to attacks of the dysentery; and as I found that my

strength was failing very fast, I resolved to charge myself with

mercury. I accordingly took calomel till it affected my mouth to such a

degree, that I could not speak or sleep for six days. The salivation put

an immediate stop to the dysentery, which had proved fatal to so many of

the soldiers. On the 2d of September, I observed the

° ' "

Mer. alt. of the Sun-- 169 54 0

---------

84 57 0

0 16 0

---------

85 13 0

---------

4 47 0

8 1 0

---------

Marraboo Latitude-- 12 48 0

As soon as I recovered, I set about exchanging some amber and coral for

cowries, which are the current money of Bambarra.

Cowries.

Coral No. 4 each stone 60

Amber No. 5 60

Blue agates per string 100

With these three articles I bought about twenty thousand cowries. It is

curious that in counting the cowries, they call eighty a hundred; whilst

in all other things they calculate by the common hundred. Sixty is

called a Manding hundred.

On the 6th Thomas Dyer (a private) died of the fever. I had to pay one

thousand shells to Dooty Sokee, before he would allow me to bury him;

alleging that if the ground was not bought where he was buried, it would

never grow good corn after.

There is no wood proper for boat building in this neighbourhood; the

best wood is near Kankaree, on a large navigable branch of the Niger;

and almost all the Bambarra canoes come from thence; many of them are

mahogany.

The travellers from Sego brought us every day some unfavourable news or

other. At one time it was reported, and believed all over Marraboo, that

Mansong had killed Isaaco with his own hand, and would do the same with

all the whites who should come into Bambarra. Our fears were at length

dispelled by the arrival of Bookari, Mansong's singing man, on the 8th,

with six canoes. He told us he came by Mansong's orders to convey us and

our baggage to Sego. That Mansong thought highly of the presents which

Isaaco had brought, and wished us to be brought to Sego before he

received them from Isaaco. We accordingly put our baggage in order; but

it was not till the 12th that the singing man and his _Somonies_ (canoe

people) could be prevailed on to leave the Dooty _Sokee's_ good beef,

and beer. We embarked, and left Marraboo at ten minutes past three

o'clock.

Time. Course. Objects. Bearing. Distance.

3.10 E. 1/2 N. The North extreme E.

of the South hills.

Little hump on E.S.E.

South hills.

Cubic hill on North E. by N. Distant 12

side. or 14 miles.

0 25 E. by N.

0 30 E. N. E.

0 45 E. 1/2 S.

4 0 E.

0 45 E. by N. 1/2 W.

5 0 N. E. Cubic hill. N. Distant 1/4 of

0 10 Halted for the a mile.

night at Koolikorro

September 13th.--Bookari sent four of the Somonies over to a town on the

opposite side of the river, to put in requisition a canoe for carrying

part of our baggage. The people refused to give the canoe, and sent the

Somonies back without it. Bookari immediately went with all the Somonies

(38); and having cut the owner of the canoe across the forehead with his

sword, and broke his brother's head with a canoe paddle, he seized one

of his sons, and brought him away as a slave along with the canoe. He

however set the boy at liberty, his father paying two thousand shells

for his release.

We left Koolikorro at thirty-five minutes past eleven. I will not

trouble your Lordship with transcribing the courses and compass bearings

from this to Sansanding. The latitude of the places will give a

sufficient idea of the course of the river; and I hope to give a

tolerable correct chart of all its turnings and widings, when I return

to Great Britain.

° ' "

Observed mer. alt. Sun.-- 80 45 0

0 16 0

--------

81 1 0

--------

ZD.-- 8 59 0 N

D.-- 3 53 0

--------

Koolikorro Latitude-- 12 52 0 N

--------

_The horizon_ was an oblique view across the river. Distance of the land

seven miles; height of the eye sixteen inches above the surface of the

water.

We travelled very pleasantly all day; in fact nothing can be more

beautiful than the views of this immense river; sometimes as smooth as a

mirror, at other times ruffled with a gentle breeze, but at all times

sweeping us along at the rate of six or seven miles per hour. We halted

for the night at Deena, a Somoni village on the south side. Had a

tornado in the night, which wetted our baggage much. Most of us slept in

the canoes to prevent theft.

September 14th.--Departed from Deena early in the morning, and arrived

at Yamina at forty-five minutes past four o'clock. Halted here the 15th,

in order to purchase cowries.

° ' "

Observ. alt. Sun-- 79 63 0

0 16 0

-------

79 52 0

-------

10 8 0

3 7 0

-------

Yamina Latitude-- 13 15 0

On the 16th left Yamina, and in the evening reached Samee, where we

landed our baggage; and Bookari went forward to Sego to inform Mansong

of our arrival.

September 17th.--

° ' "

Obser. mer. alt. Sun-- 78 47 0

0 16 0

-------

79 3 0

-------

10 57 0

2 20 0

-------

Samee Latitude-- 13 17 0

-------

September 18th.--No accounts from Sego.

September 19th.--About two o'clock in the morning, Isaaco arrived in a

canoe from Sego, with all the articles I had sent to Mansong. Mansong

had never yet seen any of them; and when he heard that I was arrived at

Samee, he desired Modibinne to inform Isaaco that he had best take the

articles up to Samee; and he would send a person to receive them from my

own hand. Isaaco informed me that Mansong, at all the interviews he had

with him, uniformly declared that he would allow us to pass; but

whenever Isaaco mentioned us particularly, or related any incident that

had happened on the journey, Mansong immediately began to make squares

and triangles in the sand before him with his finger, and continued to

do so, so long as Isaaco spoke about us. Isaaco said, that he thought

Mansong was rather afraid of us; particularly as he never once expressed

a wish to see us, but rather the contrary.

September 22d.--In the evening, Modibinne and four more of Mansong's

friends arrived in a canoe. They sent for me, and Modibinne told me,

that they were come by Mansong's orders to hear, from my own mouth, what

had brought me into Bambarra. He said I might think on it during the

night, and they would visit me in the morning; he said Mansong had sent

me a bullock, which he shewed me: it was very fat, and _milk white_.

September 23d.--As soon as we had breakfasted, Modibinne and the four

grandees came to visit us. When they had seated themselves, and the

usual compliments passed, Modibinne desired me to acquaint them with the

motives which had induced me to come into their country. I spoke to them

in the Bambarra language as follows. "I am the white man who nine years

ago came into Bambarra. I then came to Sego, and requested Mansong's

permission to pass to the Eastwards; he not only permitted me to pass,

but presented me with five thousand cowries to purchase provisions on

the road; [Footnote: Park's Travels, p. 199.] for you all know that the

Moors had robbed me of my goods. This generous conduct of Mansong

towards me, has made his name much respected in the land of the white

people. The King of that country has sent me again into Bambarra; and if

Mansong is inclined to protect me, and you who are here sitting, wish to

befriend me, I will inform you of the real object of my coming into your

country."

(Here Modibinne desired me to speak on, as they were all my friends),

"You all know that the white people are a trading people; and that all

the articles of value, which the Moors and the people of Jinnie bring to

Sego, are made by us. If you speak of a _good gun_, who made it? the

_white people_. If you speak of a good pistol or sword, or piece of

scarlet or baft, or beads or gunpowder, who made them? the _white

people_. We sell them to the Moors; the Moors bring them to Tombuctoo,

where they sell them at a _higher rate_. The people of Tombuctoo sell

them to the people of Jinnie at a still higher price; and the people of

Jinnie sell them to you. Now the King of the white people wishes to find

out a way by which we may bring our own merchandize to you, and sell

every thing at a much cheaper rate than you now have them. For this

purpose, if Mansong will permit me to pass, I propose sailing down the

Joliba to the place where it mixes with the salt water; and if I find no

rocks or danger in the way, the white men's small vessels will come up

and trade at Sego, if Mansong wishes it. What I have now spoken, I hope

and trust you will not mention to any person, except Mansong and his

son; for if the Moors should hear of it, I shall certainly be murdered

before I reach the salt water."

Modibinne answered, "We have heard what you have spoken. Your journey is

a good one, and may God prosper you in it; Mansong will protect you. We

will carry your words to Mansong this afternoon; and tomorrow we will

bring you his answer." I made Isaaco shew them the different things,

which I had allotted for Mansong and his son. They were delighted with

the tureen, the double-barrelled guns, and in fact every thing was far

superior to any thing of the kind they had ever before seen.

When I had laid out every thing for Mansong and his son, I then made

each of the grandees, and Modibinne, a present of scarlet cloth.

Modibinne now said that they had seen what I laid out for Mansong and

his son, and that the present was great, and worthy of Mansong; but,

added he, Mansong has heard so many reports concerning your baggage,

that he wishes us to examine it. "Such of the bundles as are covered

with skin, we will not open; you will tell us what is in them, and that

will be sufficient." I told them that I had nothing but what was

necessary for purchasing provisions; and that it would please me much if

they could dispense with opening the bundles. They however persisted;

and I ordered the bundles to be brought out, taking care, with the

assistance of the soldiers, to secrete all the good amber and coral.

When all the loads were inspected, I asked Modibinne what he thought of

my baggage? If he had seen any more silver tureens, or double barrelled

guns? He said he had seen nothing that was _bad_, and nothing but what

was necessary for purchasing provisions; that he would report the same

to Mansong. They accordingly went away to Sego; but without taking

Mansong's present, till they had heard his answer.

September 24th.--_Seed_ and _Barber_ (soldiers) died during the night;

one of the fever, the other of the dysentery. Paid the Somonies twenty

stones of amber for burying them.

September 25th.--Modibinne and the same people returned with Mansong's

answer, a literal translation of which I give as follows. "Mansong says

he will protect you; that a road is open for you every where, as far as

his hand (power) extends. If you wish to go to the East, no man shall

harm you from Sego till you pass Tombuctoo. If you wish to go to the

West, you may travel through Fooladoo and Manding, through Kasson and

Bondou; the name of Mansong's stranger will be a sufficient protection

for you. If you wish to build your boats at Samee or Sego, at Sansanding

or Jinnie, name the town, and Mansong will convey you thither." He

concluded by observing, that Mansong wished me to sell him four of the

_blunderbusses_, _three swords_, _a fiddle_ (violin) which belonged to

Mr. Scott, and some _Birmingham bead necklaces_, which pleased above

every thing; that he had sent us a bullock, and his son another, with a

fine sheep. I told Modibinne that Mansong's friendship was of more value

to me than the articles he had mentioned, and that I would be happy if

Mansong would accept them from me as a farther proof of my esteem.

I made choice of Sansanding for fitting out our canoe, because Mansong

had never said he wished to see me, and because I could live quieter and

freer from begging than at Sego. I therefore sent down the bullocks by

land to Sansanding.

September 26th. We departed from Samee. The canoes were not covered with

mats; and there being no wind, the sun became insufferably hot. I felt

myself affected with a violent head-ach, which encreased to such a

degree as to make me almost delirious. I never felt so hot a day; there

was _sensible heat_ sufficient to have roasted a _sirloin_; but the

thermometer was in a bundle in the other canoe, so that I could not

ascertain the _actual_ heat. We passed down a small stream to the north

of Sego Korro, and halted opposite to _Segosee Korro_, near the sand

hills, where I formerly waited for a passage. We waited here about an

hour for Isaaco, who had gone to Segosee Korro to inform Mansong of our

passing. When Isaaco returned, he made a sort of shade over our canoe

with four sticks and a couple of cloaks; and in the evening I found

myself more collected and less feverish. At sun-set we rowed towards the

north bank, where there are some flat rocks, on which passengers by

water often sleep. We found the place occupied by a number of people. I

counted between thirty and forty fires; we therefore passed on a little

to the Eastwards, and slept on a sand bank covered with verdure.

September 27th.--At day-break we again proceeded, and in stretching over

to gain the middle of the river, we passed a Somoni fishing village on

an island; the huts occupied the whole of the dry ground, and it

appeared, even when close to it, like a floating village. We reached

Sansanding at ten o'clock. Such crowds of people came to the shore to

see us, that we could not land our baggage till the people were beaten

away with sticks, by Koontie Mamadie's orders, on whose premises we were

accommodated with a large hut for sitting in, having another hut opening

into it, in which we deposited our baggage.

October 2d.--_Marshall_ and _W. Garland_ (privates) died; one of the

fever, the other of the dysentery. During the night the wolves carried

away Garland, the door of the hut where he died being left open. Buried

Marshall on the morning following, in a corn field near the church.

October 4th.--Mansong sent down two broken gunlocks, and a large pewter

plate with a hole in the bottom of it, for me to repair; and it was with

much difficulty that I could persuade the messenger that none of us knew

any thing about such occupations.

October 6th.--_Da_, Mansong's eldest son, sent one canoe as a present,

and requested me to sell him a bunderbuss, and three swords, with some

blue and yellow broad cloth. Sent him three swords, and ten spans of

yellow cloth; received in return six thousand cowries.

Sansanding contains, according to Koontie Mamadie's account, eleven

thousand inhabitants. It has no public buildings, except the mosques,

two of which, though built of mud, are by no means inelegant. The market

place is a large square, and the different articles of merchandize are

exposed for sale on stalls covered with mats, to shade them from the

sun. The market is crowded with people from morning to night: some of

the stalls contain nothing but beads; others indigo in balls; others

wood-ashes in balls; others Houssa and Jinnie cloth. I observed one

stall with nothing but antimony in small bits; another with sulphur, and

a third with copper and silver rings and bracelets. In the houses

fronting the square is sold, scarlet, amber, silks from Morocco, and

tobacco, which looks like Levant tobacco, and comes by way of Tombuctoo.

Adjoining this is the salt market, part of which occupies one corner of

the square. A slab of salt is sold commonly for eight thousand cowries;

a large butcher's stall, or shade, is in the centre of the square, and

as good and fat meat sold every day as any in England. The beer market

is at a little distance, under two large trees; and there are often

exposed for sale from eighty to one hundred calabashes of beer, each

containing about two gallons. Near the beer market is the place where

red and yellow leather is sold.

Besides these market-places, there is a very large space, which is

appropriated for the great market every Tuesday. On this day astonishing

crowds of people come from the country to purchase articles in

wholesale, and retail them in the different villages, &c. There are

commonly from sixteen to twenty large fat Moorish bullocks killed on the

market morning.

October 8th.--As Mansong had delayed much longer in sending the canoes

he promised, than I expected, I thought it best to be provided with a

sufficient quantity of shells to purchase two; particularly when I

reflected that the river would subside in the course of a few days,

having sunk this morning about four inches by the shore. I therefore

opened shop in great style, and exhibited a choice assortment of

European articles to be sold in wholesale or retail. I had of course a

_great run_, which I suppose drew on me the envy of my brother

merchants; for the Jinnie people, the Moors, and the merchants here

joined with those of the same description at Sego, and (in presence of

Modibinne, from whose mouth I had it) offered to give Mansong a quantity

of merchandize of greater value than all the presents I had made him, if

he would seize our baggage, and either kill us, or send us back again

out of Bambarra. They alleged, that my object was to kill Mansong and

his sons by means of charms, that the white people might come and seize

on the country. Mansong, much to his honour, rejected the proposal,

though it was seconded by two-thirds of the people of Sego, and almost

all Sansanding.

From the 8th to the 16th nothing of consequence occurred, I found my

shop every day more and more crowded with customers; and such was my run

of business, that I was sometimes forced to employ _three tellers at

once_ to count my cash. I turned one market day twenty-five thousand

seven hundred and fifty-six pieces of money (cowries.)

The second day after my arrival at Marraboo, as no accounts whatever had

arrived concerning Mr. Scott, I sent a messenger to Koomikoomi, desiring

him to bring Mr. Scott, or some account of him. He returned in four

days, and told us that _Mr. Scott was dead_, and that the natives had

stolen the pistols out of the holsters; but he had brought the horse to

Bambakoo.

When Modibinne enquired of Isaaco what sort of a _return of presents_

would be most agreeable to me, Isaaco (being instructed before) said he

believed two large canoes, and Modibinne assured me, that the canoes

would be sent down to Sansanding immediately on our arrival there.

In order to give a just idea of the trade and profits on different

articles sold at Sansanding, I have annexed a list of _European_ and

_African_ articles, with their respective values in _cowries_, the great

medium of exchange and the general currency of Bambarra.

EUROPEAN ARTICLES.

Value in Cowries.

A musket ---- ---- ---- 6 to 7000

A cutlass ---- ---- ---- 1500 to 2000

A flint ---- ---- ---- ---- 40

Gunpowder, one bottle ---- ---- 3000

Amber No. 1. ---- ---- ---- ---- 1000

Ditto No. 2. ---- ---- ---- ---- 800

Ditto No. 3. ---- ---- ---- ---- 400

Amber No. 4. ---- ---- ---- ---- 160

Ditto No. 5. ---- ---- ---- ---- 80

Ditto No. 6. ---- ---- ---- ---- 60

Coral No. 4. each stone ---- ---- 60

Black points, per bead ---- ---- 20

Red garnets, per string ---- ---- 40

White ditto, per string ---- ---- 40

Blue agates, per string ---- ---- 100

Round rock coral, per bead ---- 5

Long ditto, per bead ---- ---- 5

Short arrangoes, per bead ---- 40

Gold beads, per bead ---- ---- 10

An Indian baft ---- ---- 20,000

A barraloolo, or five-bar piece 8,000

Scarlet cloth 10 spans ---- 20,000

If sold to the Karankeas _in retail_ 30,000

_Light yellow_ cloth nearly the same as scarlet;

_blue_ not so high

Paper per sheet ---- ---- 40

A dollar ---- ---- from 6 to 12,000

Or from 1£. 5s. to 2£. 10s

AFRICAN PRODUCE.

A _minkalli_ of gold (12s. 6d. sterling) ---- 3000

Four minkallies are equal to £3. 3s. Value in Cowries.

_Ivory_, the very largest teeth, each ---- 10,000

The medium size ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 7,000

The smaller ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 3 or 4000

_Indigo leaves_ beat and dried in lumps larger

than ones fist, each ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 40

A prime slave, (male) ---- ---- ---- ---- 40,000

A ditto, (female) ---- ---- ---- from 80 to 100,000

A girl ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 40,000

A horse from two to ten prime male slaves

A cow (fat) ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 15,000

An ass ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 17,000

A sheep ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 3 to 5,000

A fowl ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 250 to 300

As much _excellent fat beef_ as will be sufficient

for seven men one day ---- ---- ---- ---- 620

As much _good beer_ as the same number can

drink in one day ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 300

October 16th.--Modibinne and Jower arrived, and told me that they had

brought a canoe from Mansong. I went to see it, and objected to one half

of it, which was quite rotten. They sent up to Sego for another half;

but when it arrived, it would not fit the one already sent. I was

therefore forced to send Isaaco again to Sego; and as Mansong had

requested me by Modibinne to sell him any spare arms I might have, I

sent two blunderbusses, two fowling pieces, two pair of pistols, and

five unserviceable muskets; requesting in return that Mansong would

either send a proper canoe, or permit me to purchase one that I might

proceed on my journey. Isaaco returned on the 20th with a large canoe;

but half of it was very much decayed and patched, I therefore set about

joining the best half to the half formerly sent; and with the assistance

of Abraham Bolton (private) took out all the rotten pieces; and repaired

all the holes, and sewed places; and with eighteen days _hard labour,

changed the_ Bambarra canoe into _His Majesty's schooner Joliba_; the

length forty feet, breadth six feet; being flat bottomed, draws only one

foot water when loaded.

October 28th.--At a quarter past five o'clock in the morning my dear

friend Mr. Alexander Anderson died after a sickness of four months. I

feel much inclined to speak of his merits; but as his worth was known

only to a few friends, I will rather cherish his memory in silence, and

imitate his cool and steady conduct, than weary my friends with a

panegyric in which they cannot be supposed to join. I shall only observe

that no event which took place during the journey, ever threw the

smallest gloom over my mind, till I laid Mr. Anderson in the grave. I

then felt myself, as if left a second time lonely and friendless amidst

the wilds of Africa.

November 14th.--The schooner is now nearly ready for our departure; I

only wait for Isaaco's return from Sego, that I may give him this paper

in charge.

November 15th.--Isaaco returned; and told us that Mansong was anxious

that I should depart as soon as possible, before the Moors to the East

had intimation of my coming. Bought bullock hides to form an awning to

secure us from the spears and arrows of the _Surka_ or _Soorka_ and

_Mahinga_ who inhabit the North bank of the river betwixt Jinnie and

Tombuctoo.

November 16.--All ready and we sail to-morrow morning, or evening. I

will therefore conclude this long epistle with some miscellaneous

information.

_Variation_ of the compass.

West of the Faleme river ---- ---- 14 11 West.

At Badoo, near Sibikillin ---- ---- 14 56

Near the _Bafing_ ---- ---- ---- 16 30

At Marraboo on the Niger ---- ---- 16 36

At Yamina ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 17 11

At Sansanding ---- ---- ---- ---- 17 40

In case any one should be inclined to doubt the accuracy of the

latitudes taken by the back observation with Troughton's pocket sextant;

I think it proper to mention that I have observed at Sansanding

alternately with the _horizon of the river_, and the _back observation_

in water and the artificial horizon; and never found them to vary more

than four minutes, but generally much nearer.

A fac-simile sketch of the course of the Niger, made by an old Somonie,

who had been seven times at Tombuctoo, and is now going the eighth.

_Ba Nimma_ rises in the Kong mountains South of Marraboo; it passes one

day's journey South of Sego; and having received a branch from Miniana,

empties itself into the lake Dibbie. It is not quite half so large as

the Niger. I have not the least doubt of the truth of this, having heard

it from so many people. We shall not see Jinnie in going to Tombuctoo.

_Route from Sego to Miniana._

From Sego in one day,

Deena, across the Ba Nimma in canoes, and halt on

the south side; thence in one day,

Dahmaroo,

Sijirri,

Neaguana,

Mullo Soo,

Billi Soo;

In all seven days.

The inhabitants of Miniana eat their enemies, and strangers, if they die

in the country. They eat the flesh of horses; but such is their

veneration for the cow that she is never killed; when she dies, they eat

the flesh. Miniana is hilly; all the grains are cultivated the same as

in Bambarra.

_Route from Sego to Badoo_.

From Sego in one day.

Koogoo,

N. goi, [Footnote: Thus written in Park's MS.]

Jeenna,

Doo-Wassoo.

Choyna,

Guandoo on the banks of the Badingfing, a small

river from Miniana.

Cheraboo,

Baboo,

Blendoo,

Koolokoo,

Kay-a,

Wangeera,

Jibbi,

Nemansana,

Kooli,

Chemosoo,

N. jeera,

Chekora,

Koonteela,

Doomba,

Chongi,

Teng: gera, a great Juli town; a Juli is called in

Baedoo, Kirko Bimba;

Teeleemagee,

Soomasoo,

Koorinsoo,

Jondoo; Juli town,

Sala,

N. Kannoo, Juli town.

The whole of the foregoing places are in Bambarra.

Totti, a town in Baedoo.

Baedoo, the capital.

The Julis are people who understand the language of Baedoo and Miniana,

and are employed as interpreters and brokers by the salt merchants. One

month's travel South of Baedoo through the kingdom of Gotto, will bring

the traveller to the country of the Christians, who have their houses on

the banks of the _Ba Sea feena_; this water they represent as being

imcomparably larger than the lake Dibbie, and that the water sometimes

flows one way, sometimes another. There are no Shea trees in Kong or

Gotto, and very few in Baedoo.

ISAACO'S JOURNAL.

VOL. II.

_Government House

Sierra Leone, 10th December, 1811._

"MY LORD,

"With reference to my letter of the 8th of March 1810, communicating

having engaged a person to go in search, and ascertain the fate of the

late Mr. Mungo Park; I have the honour to communicate to Your Lordship,

that this person returned to Senegal on the 1st of September; but I am

concerned to state that his information confirms the various reports of

Mr. Park's death.

"I have enclosed a copy of the Journal of the person whom I sent, which

was kept in Arabic, and has been translated into English by a person

resident in Senegal.

"Isaaco has been paid the promised reward, which I hope will be approved

by your Lordship.

"I have the honour to be,

"MY LORD,

"Your Lordship's most obedient

"humble Servant,

"C.W. MAXWELL.

"_Governor._"

_To the Right Honourable

The Earl of Liverpool._

ISAACO'S JOURNAL.

I, Isaaco, left Senegal on Sunday, the 22d day of the moon Tabasky;

[Footnote: Seventh of January, 1810.] in the afternoon we came to an

anchor at the foot of the bar. We passed the bar next morning, and had

like to have lost ourselves; we got on board the George. Weighed anchor

in the night of the 23d, from the roads, and anchored at Goree the 24th

at about 4 P.M. [Footnote: These times of the day are not very exact,

being regulated by the Mahometan times of prayer.] On my arrival there,

I found some of my effects had been stolen; I signified to the

commandant of Goree my intention to postpone my voyage, until my stolen

goods were found. The commandant sent me back on board the George, and

ordered the vessel to return to Senegal, that I might make there my

complaint to Governor Maxwell. We were nine days at sea with heavy

weather, and could not fetch; we were obliged to return to Goree on the

tenth day.

The commandant next day (Friday) after my arrival, sent a courier to

Senegal to the Governor, with the account of my goods being stolen; and

on the Friday following the courier brought me my effects. [Footnote:

These goods had been stolen in the lighter outside of the bar.] The same

day in the afternoon, I left Goree in the George, and arrived in Gambia,

the night after at Yoummy. We left Yoummy on the Sunday following, and

arrived on Monday at Jilifrey. We left Jilifrey the same day; passed

Tancrowaly, in the night, and on Tuesday came opposite a forest. Passed

this spot, and came to anchor at Baling. From Baling came to an anchor

opposite a forest at four P.M. We got under weigh in the night and came

to in the morning. Departed after breakfast, and came to at noon.

Departed immediately after, and came to after sunset. Passed Caour in

the night, and came to anchor at four A.M. (Thursday). Weighed in the

evening and came to Yanimmarou at noon. We left Yanimmarou in the

morning of Friday, and came to Mongha. Left the Mongha the same day at

sunset, and came to Mariancounda late in the evening, and Robert Ainsley

being there, I landed and presented to him the Governor's letter; making

in all eight days from Goree to my arrival at Mariancounda.

Robert Ainsley kept me five days with him. He gave me, by the Governor's

desire, one horse, one ass, and twenty bars of beads. I left Robert

Ainsley on Wednesday morning, and went to the village of the king of

Cataba to pay my respects. I had previously sent the same day, my

baggage and people, to Giammalocoto. On my arrival before Cataba, I gave

him one musket, and one string of amber No. 4. which he distributed to

his attendants. In the evening of the same day, I took leave of the

king, and arrived at Giammalocoto, after sunset, where I met my people

and effects. I left Giammalocoto, on Friday morning, and slept at

Tandacounda. I departed next morning (Saturday) and slept at Guenda. On

Sunday crossed a rivulet and slept under a tamarind tree close to the

village of Sandougoumanna. I sent to Sallatigua-koura, king of that

country, five bars of tobacco (ten heads). I went and slept at

Woullimanna. I gave to Mansancoije, the chief, two bars of scarlet cloth

and two bars of tobacco, and to his son, one bar of scarlet cloth. I

also gave to my landlord three bars of tobacco. Departed next day early;

stopped at Carropa at noon, and went to Coussage, where we slept. I

there found my family, who had been driven away by the Bambarra army. I

staid at Coussage two days and gave Maitafodey, chief of the village,

three bottles of powder. [Footnote: One bottle of powder passes for five

bars.] We left Coussage in the evening, with all my family; arrived at

Montogou in the morning, where my family resided before the Bambarra

army entered this country. I here found my mother. I staid at Montogou

about one month and a half, or forty-six days.

Having disposed of such of my property as I could not carry with me, I

left Montogou at about nine A.M. with my family and people, stopped at

Moundoundon, having crossed three rivulets; slept there. Mamadou, the

chief, killed me a sheep: I gave him one bottle of powder. We departed

in the morning, stopped at Couchiar at noon, under a bark-tree, where we

passed the rest of the day. We filled our leather bags with water and

departed about four P.M. We travelled all night and came to Saabie at

three A.M. This village is inhabited by Marabous (priests). We stayed

there two days. I found there a relation of one of my wives. I gave him

one bottle of powder and three pagnes (a piece of cloth the natives make

use of in their dresses). We left Saabie in the morning, stopped at noon

at Joumajaoury, and arrived at Tallimangoly. I there met a relation who

killed a sheep. I gave him three grains of amber. We slept there. Next

morning we departed, and arrived at midnight at Baniscrilla, where I

found the King of Bondou with the Bambarra army. I went to pay my

respects to him, and gave him ten bottles of powder, thirteen grains of

amber No. 1, two grains of coral No. 1, and one handsome tin box. To his

first valet one pagne, worth one piece of baft; to his goldsmith four

pagnes; to the Chief of the village two bottles of powder. (Ten bars.)

Slept there two nights; departed early, so did the army on their way to

Gambia. We stopped at noon at Cambaya, being very hungry: we departed in

the evening; and slept on the road. At about eight A.M. on the next day,

we passed Gnary and Sangnongagy; received at this last village some peas

without stopping. We stopped at noon at Dougay. Next morning early we

departed, and stopped at noon at Daacada; in the evening we stopped and

slept at Bougoldanda. Next day we stopped at noon at Saamcolo. Some

singers of the village paid me a visit; I gave them a few trinkets. I

had here a grand palaver (dispute) about one of my dogs, who had, as was

said, bit a man; with great difficulty I prevented the animal from being

killed.

Departed next day early; arrived at noon at Soumbourdaga, and slept

there. Next morning at nine A.M. arrived at Debbou; my friend Saloumou

gave me two sheep; I gave him two bottles of powder. Saloumou told me he

would keep me company to Sego if I pleased; I readily agreed, and gave

him ten pagnes to give to his wife to support her until his return. Next

morning, Saloumou being ready, we departed from Debbou: we crossed the

Faleme, and stopped on the other side at a village also called Debbou. I

bought there two sheep and some corn; we staid there three days, and had

our corn converted into kouskous. We departed from Debbou early on

Monday, the first day of Raky Gamon, [Footnote: May 4, 1810.] and

arrived at noon at the village of Diggichoucoumee, the residence of the

King of Bondou: we stayed there four days and killed two sheep. I gave

to Almami Sega two bottles of powder; bought one sheep. Departed early

and went to Sabcouria, where we slept; it is the last village of Bondou

to the northward.

Left Sabcouria early, and passed Gouloumbo: we slept on the road. Next

morning at nine A. M. we stopt at Dramana, in sight of Saint Joseph, the

Fort of Galam; we staid there five days. I was forced to stay there so

long, on account of a palaver I had with the family of one of my wives,

who opposed her going on the voyage with me: I was divorced, and she had

to give me what she had received at our marriage, which is the law among

us Mahomedans. I received one bullock and four sheep. I gave the Chief

Euchoumana fourteen bars in amber and powder; to the people one bottle

and a half of powder, and two bars of amber; to the Chief of Galam two

bottles of powder and twenty flints.

We departed early; crossed _Choligota_ [Footnote: The Ch must be

pronounced through the throat.] and Taning_ch_olee, two rivulets, and

arrived at noon at Moussala; slept there. We were well treated by the

Chief. I gave him two flints and thirty loads of powder. Departed very

early, and arrived at Tambouncana on the Senegal River. I there saw a

Moor who had a very fine mare, which I bought with the goods which were

returned to me in my palaver at Dramana. The King of Bambarra built

there a large fort. We departed, and arrived at noon at Samicouta; we

then went to Gui_ch_alel, where we slept at the house of Amady face,

Chief of the village. We stopt there the next day, owing to one of my

slaves running away, whom I got back again. Early in the morning we

crossed the Senegal River at Settoucoule, on the Moors' side. I bought

one sheep; slept there, and was well treated.

Departed early; stopt at nine A.M. at Coulou, and slept there; we found

there only the women, the men had followed the Bambarra army. Departed

early, crossed _Ch_olibinne and arrived at Challimancounna, where I

staid two days. Ourigiague, the Chief, received me well, and killed a

bullock. I gave him one bottle of powder. We departed long before

day-break, crossed Fallaou, stopt at day-break at the Lake of Douro to

take water; we went on, and arrived at nine A.M. at Medina. I was

obliged to stay there twelve days, to wait the return of one of my

fellow travellers; not hearing any thing of him, I sent a man after him,

because I had lent him my mare and a musket. The man brought me back my

mare and musket. I was there well treated by the Chief and village

people, who gave me five sheep. I gave them in return one bottle of

powder, and one and a half bars. I bought a sheep. This completed the

three moons from my departure from Montogou.

We departed early, and crossed Kirgout, a river full of hippopotami and

alligators. At noon arrived at Cougnacary, formerly the metropolis of

the kingdom of Casso, but now occupied by Bambarras. Received one sheep,

and gave one bottle of powder and five flints. We slept there, and next

day early went round and crossed the river Kirgout again. At nine A.M.

passed Maretoumane; farther on, passed a large rock called Tap-pa.

Arrived at noon at Camatingue, after crossing five rivers; we staid

there two days; received a bullock and a sheep from the Seracoolies

residing in Casso. I gave to Nare-Moussa, the Chief, half a bottle of

powder, and ten grains of amber. One of my slaves was there redeemed,

and I received another in exchange. I met there the King of Bambarra's

messenger; I gave him half a bottle of powder. We departed early,

crossed Garry between two rocks; arrived at noon at Lambatara; slept

there. We were all the way surrounded by mountains and rocks. We started

early, after taking water for our provisions, and had to ascend high

mountains. About noon we arrived at the top of one of them; a part of my

people went forward. When on the very top of the hill, they were

surrounded and attacked by such a quantity of bees, that my people and

beasts of burden were scattered; [Footnote: The bees in those parts of

the country are very numerous, especially on the tops of the mountains.

A similar accident from the attack of bees is mentioned by Park in his

Journal, p. 37. See also Vol. I. p. 331.] when they were a little

appeased, we went after our beasts, who had thrown away every thing they

had on their backs. I found one of my asses dead, being stifled by the

bees getting into its nostrils, and one of my men almost dead by their

stings. I had to give him something to bring him to life, and that with

a great deal of pains. We slept at the foot of that mountain, under a

monkey-bread tree.

Departed early; at nine A.M. we met on the road one of the King of

Bambarra's messengers, who was sent after me; we stopped and sat under a

tree together; he told me he was sent by his master, to let me know if

he met me at Cougnacary, he was ordered to procure me plenty of

provisions, and keep me there to rest myself; but as he had met me on

the road, and a long way past Cougnacary, he would lead me to the first

village, would get me some provisions, and that I might stay there to

rest myself; to which I agreed. We passed Goundouguédé and arrived at

four P.M. at Jyggiting Yalla; on my arrival I told the messenger my

intention of sending somebody to the King, to let him know of my being

in his dominions, and near him. I then sent Saloumon my friend to

Giocha, where the King resided. I told him on his arrival at Giocha, to

go to Sabila, the chief of all the King's slaves, and a confident of

his, to give him thirteen grains of amber No. 1, one pair of scissars,

one snuff-box, and one looking-glass; and tell him I sent him those

things as a present, and let him know of my arrival. After this man's

departure, I sent another messenger, and desired him to go to Giocha, to

endeavour to see my old friend Allasana-Bociara, one of the King of

Sego's messengers, who were sent as ambassadors, and tell him that I

send him this grain of amber, and that piece [Footnote: One round half

dollar.] of silver, as a mark of my being near him, and not to leave

Giocha before he saw me. I had learnt his arrival there by a caravan of

slaves I met on the road.

After I had sent these two messengers unknown to one another, the King's

messenger came in the evening, and told me he was going away, but should

give orders to the first village he should come to, to receive me well

and give me provisions and all assistance; and that I should wait there

for further orders. I then slept there: in the course of the night, the

Chief of the village where I was ordered to go and stop for further

orders, sent a messenger to his son here, where I was, desiring him to

stop me here. Next morning his son came to me, and said it was useless

for me to go any farther; that his father had sent to him and desired he

would furnish me with whatever I wanted and keep me here. I told him, if

I staid where I was, I should die with all my family, of hunger and

thirst; and that I would go on where I was ordered, unless I was stopped

by force. I immediately got every thing ready and departed.

At noon, we arrived at Maribougou, where I was ordered to stop. Foula

Massa, the Chief, sent me to his brother to take up lodgings. When I

came to his brother's house I was refused lodgings; I then went under a

large monkey-bread tree and made halt there. The Chief came and told me

to stay here; I said I could not, as water was very scarce, and my

company very numerous. He immediately gave orders that no one in the

village should draw water, so that I might not want, and that I should

have no excuse. I took that opportunity to give drink to all my people

and cattle, and filled my skins. Being ready to depart from thence, the

two men I had sent to Giocha from Jyggiting Yalla, arrived; one told me

he had seen Sabila, and delivered my message and present to him; that

Sabila said, he perceived I wanted to be his friend, to which he had no

objection; the other messenger told me, that the King of Sego's

ambassador said I might be assured he would not leave Giocha before he

saw me, according to my desire.

I had in my caravan a merchant I met at Dramana; he came from Senegal,

and had some friends in this village, who sent to tell him to take away

his goods from mine and put them aside, as I was in great danger of

being plundered, and his goods would be lost to him if found amongst

mine; to which he objected; which gave me a proof of his good

intentions, and of his friendship to me. I was then convinced something

unpleasant was planning against me. I therefore forced this merchant to

take away his goods from mine; as it would be unjust he should suffer on

my account. I then placed myself and people against the tree, well

armed. I had two double-barrelled guns and a musket in good order, and

well loaded; and waited for what should happen.

While I was in this state of defence, a messenger from the King came to

me, the same man I had met first, who told me, that as I was complaining

of want of water, he would conduct me to another village. We accordingly

departed, and arrived at Wassaba; when there, the messenger shewed me a

house where I was to take up my lodging, and have my things in safety.

He then wanted to separate my people from me and scatter them in the

village, so as to have a better chance to plunder me; to which I

strongly objected. I went with my people, baggage, &c. into the middle

of the yard of the house appointed for my lodging, and staid there.

The Chief of the village came to me, and desired I should give him my

people to go and fetch me a bullock: the King's messenger took him aside

and spoke a little while to him: he came again and told me he could not

give me now the bullock, as his cattle were too far off among the King's

herd. When the messenger saw me settle in the yard, and disposed to

spend the evening there, he left me and went away.

When I was sure of his departure, I sent another man to Giocha, and

ordered him to go to Madiguijou Marabou, who would introduce him to

Sabila; and when there, to give Sabila seven grains of amber, and tell

him to go and let the King know, that wherever I went, I met some of his

people who stopped me from one place to another; and my intention was

positively to go to him, and to beg Sabila to obtain my request. My

courier came back the next day, and told me that Sabila said, the King,

his master's pleasure was, that I should stay where I was, and come to

see him (the King) on the next day, with which I complied.

Next day the King sent a messenger to me with orders to lead me to him.

I left my family and baggage, taking three horsemen of my people with me

and four footmen, and departed with the messenger. I had, previous to

that, sent a man before me with five grains of the largest amber No. 1.

with orders to wait at Giocha for me. We arrived at the back of the

village at three P.M. on Tuesday; the man I had sent before me, was

there waiting for me; he told me softly that where I was going we were

betrayed; and not to let the King know of my going to Sego, as our lives

depended upon it. I told him, that he well knew, I was sent by the

Governor of Senegal to Sego; and to Sego I must go, unless I was

prevented by death or force. I then entered the village and went

straight to the King's door, followed by his messenger, I there

alighted; the messenger made me wait at the door, and went in to take

the King's orders. He came back immediately and told me the King was

sleeping; the guard took possession of my people and me, and lodged us

in the guard-room with them. It was then about sunset, and not a single

soul of my friends and acquaintances or relations came to see me. I then

began to think seriously what was to be done. A griot [Footnote: Ballad

singer and dancer.] woman was the only person who came to comfort me in

my distress.

This woman on leaving me went immediately to the ambassadors of Sego

(which I afterwards learnt), and said to them, "Oh me, oh me, my back is

broke." [Footnote: An expression of sorrow among the cassonkes.] The

ambassadors asked her the reason; she said, "Because Isaaco our friend

is here, and they are going to kill him." Sabila being a very powerful

man, and not hearing from him, I sent my boy to Madiguijou; and begged

he would introduce the boy to Sabila, and when there, to give him the

five grains of amber. Not being well guarded, I sent another man to my

landlord where I always resided when I passed in this village, with my

compliments, and my surprise at not seeing him since my arrival. He sent

me word that he was happy to hear of my being so near him and in good

health, and that nobody had given him any notice of my arrival: which

last words I attributed to his being afraid to meddle with me while in

the King's hands. I sent in the night the merchant who was advised to

draw his goods from mine at Maribougou, to the Sego ambassadors; and

informed them of my being here.

Seeing the guards' carelessness, I went (still in the night) to my

landlord, who had still some influence near the king, and gave him one

of my wives necklaces, nine grains of amber, and seven grains of coral.

From thence I went to Madiguijou, and told him I was sent on a mission

to the King of Sego, with some papers; in order to facilitate me on my

voyage in search of a white man gone in the interior of this country

long ago. I went from there to Sabila and told him the same thing.

Afterwards I went back to the guard-house, and laid myself down to

sleep; while the guards were amusing themselves in dancing, singing, and

drinking. My slumber being disturbed by my uneasy mind, I awoke and

found all the guards gone.

I went to take the air, and returned again to sleep, but could not. I

heard the feet of several horsemen in the street, going, I presumed, to

Sabila's house. Early in the morning I sent another message to the

ambassadors, to let them know how critically I was situated; that I

heard they were going away to Sego without me; and my uneasiness at not

hearing a word from them. They sent to ask me why I did not follow this

time the same road I had followed on my other voyage. I sent back the

man to let them know as the two kingdoms were at peace, I thought it

secure and safe to travel through this part; that Mungo Park had

promised King Mansong a present; and Mungo Park not returning, the

Governor of Senegal had entrusted this same present to me for Mansong,

and that I was now the bearer of it. However, since they were determined

to go without me, they might do so, and whether I should be released or

die; they should hear it soon enough at Sego. They sent to

Tiguing-Coroba [Footnote: Vulgarly Tiguing-coro.] (the King) a message

saying; We have heard that Isaaco our friend is at Giocha, bearer of a

present to Dacha (King of Sego) which Mr. Park had promised to Mansong

(Dacha's father); that Mr. Park not returning in time to his country,

his friends had appointed Isaaco to be the bearer of that present, which

is with him now, and is destined for Sego, to the King our master. In

case Isaaco wishes to go back, we beg you will not let him do so; but if

he wishes to go on, on his mission to Sego, we also beg and hope you

will give him all assistance, and some trusty persons to conduct him to

Sego. [Footnote: This equivocal invitation was given to the King, who

well knew that the King of Sego was more powerful than him; and if he

should injure Isaaco in any manner, he would be driven from his

dominions.]

Then came Massatan Wague, a Marabou, who told me what I have above

related, and how I had been arrested with an intention to destroy me,

and take what I had; that Sibila had been the means of my escaping such

danger, and had saved my life; to which story I gave little credit,

knowing well the reason why they shewed me such mercy; but I thanked God

alone for my preservation. Massatan Wague advised me to give the King's

only son something. I went to that prince, and gave him half a piece of

white baft, and two grains of amber No. 1. I went back to the

guard-house, where I passed the following night.

Next morning my landlord went to the King to beg (as every thing was

settled and appeared favourable on my side) that he might take me to his

lodging; to which the King consented. He immediately came and took me

away to his house with my people. I went with my land-lord

(Tong-Manchong) and my people to the King: on arriving, after the usual

salutations, I presented him with a fine tin box. The King addressed

Sabila, and said with a nod, "Here is the business." Sabila said, "This

man is our old friend, and is a good man." My landlord said the same.

The King turned to me and said, "No; here is your box and keep it; what

else you have brought in my country I shall keep; you may return to the

place you first started from, and travel on your mission by the same

road you travelled first, with the white men; but your goods, and every

thing else you have with you, I shall keep. I know what you have is

destined to the King of Sego." I said, "I might, it is true, have

traveiled by other roads, and you would never have heard of me; but in

my way, I heard you lived in peace and friendship with the King of Sego;

I therefore thought I might with security travel through your country."

He stopped me, saying, "What I have said to you is enough."

I left the house with part of his slaves. I went to my lodging, and

immediately completed the amount of sixty bars in powder, amber, &c. I

took the horse Robert Ainsley had bought for me, three ducks, and the

tin box he refused. I gathered all these things, and went with my

landlord and offered them as presents to the King, which he accepted: in

his presence I gave Sabila one bottle of powder; to the King's singer

one snuff-box. The King, on seeing these presents, (the only thing to

cool his anger) told me he would lend me somebody who would conduct me

straight to Sego. I said, "I could not go so soon; because if I did,

whoever would see me would think I deserted from him; and I therefore

thought proper to stay where I was and rest myself awhile." The King

said to Sabila, "You see Isaaco appears to be a courageous man; if he

had been of a weak-spirited mind, he would have run away, and left his

things in my hands." I went home, and spent the rest of the day and the

night.

In the morning I departed with my people to Wassaba, to fetch my family

and things; I staid there two days; but being uneasy in my mind, and

being afraid of something planning against me, and as I had good reason

to think so by the few words I heard at different times, I went back to

Giocha, presented myself to the King; and told him that before I left

his dominions, I had thought proper to come and swear fidelity and

friendship to him; and that whenever I should go backwards or forwards

from Senegal to Sego, I should always pass through his country and see

him; but that I should wish also at the same time that he would swear to

protect and treat me well, and be my friend; even should he be at war

with the King of Sego. He sent for Chiaman, the eldest son of the royal

family, who swore the same to me in his and the King's name. I likewise

swore before them what I related above. After swearing, Chiaman told me

to give him a handsome gun or a coussabi (shirt) by way of cementing our

oaths. I told him, I had none at present fit to present to him, but gave

him my word, that if I should go back to the white men's country, on my

return I would bring him one of those two objects.

I staid in the village until the next morning. I had in the mean while

wrote a prayer (Grisgris) or amulet, to a man who gave me a bullock,

which I carried to Wassaba; I slept there. Next morning I had the

bullock killed. The next day Iaque, Chiaman's brother, sent me word to

wait there for him. I immediately sent my family and things by another

road, and waited for Iaque. He came and presented me with an ass loaded

with kouskous to help me in my travels. I gave him half a piece of fine

white baft, five bottles of powder, two looking-glasses, and two

snuff-boxes. He then left me, and I went the same day to Giocha, to take

leave of the King, and beg he would let me have the promised conductor

(between Wassaba and Giocha there being seven rivulets to cross.) He

gave me a man named Mourocouro, who went on foot. He then shook hands

with me, saying, "Isaaco, I bear you no malice now; but did so once,

because you conducted white men to Sego; and never passed here to let me

have something from them, whilst every body else shared their

generosity." I took my leave of him and went to Chicouray, Chiaman's

village, where I met my family and things safe. I staid there two days.

Chaiman killed me a bullock, and I gave him one pagne, worth two pieces

of bafts, one bottle of powder, twenty flints, and one bar of scarlet

cloth.

We started in the evening and arrived at Chicouray. [Footnote: These two

last villages bear the same name.] Sambabile (Chiaman's other brother)

gave me some corn and a sheep. I gave him a blue pagne, a striped ditto,

one bottle of powder, twenty flints, and one bar of scarlet cloth; which

pagnes I got by the sale of three slaves I was obliged to sell to help

me in my expenses. I staid there two days; in the morning I started, and

arrived at noon at Jyallacoro; where resided Madifoutane, the King's

son, to whom I had given half a piece of fine cotton and two grains of

amber; he gave me some corn. Madimarian, a Marabou, killed me a bullock;

I give him one bottle of powder.

Next morning I started from thence, passed three villages, and arrived

at three P.M. at Cobla. I received cooked victuals from the village; I

gave two flints. We departed next morning early, and arrived at noon at

Amadifalouma bougou, the last village belonging to King Tiguing-coro, it

being on Wednesday, and six moons [Footnote: July 2, 1810.] after my

departure from Senegal. I bought there an ass.

Having before me a large forest to cross, and uncertain of the right

road, I hired four men to conduct me. I departed next morning, and

crossed a small river near the village. We entered the forest at noon,

and came to a large muddy pond, where the hogs could not pass safely;

our guides shewed us a better road, where we crossed easily. At two P.M.

we stopped where had been formerly a village. We found in our way after

sun-set, a large land turtle, which we killed; and passed the night

there. Departed early; at ten A.M. passed Sarina, formerly a village;

stopped awhile. The four men I had charged to go as guides, wished to go

back; they were afraid to go on further. I was much disappointed at such

behaviour, and got angry with them, and said I would sooner go back than

be left in such a forest. They shewed me a road, and told me to follow

it straight along, and to be careful not to turn either to the right or

left, and that I should soon find a village inhabited. I gave them half

a bottle of powder and ten flints, and let them go, as I could not do

otherwise.

I went on, and found the road the King of Sego's army had taken nine

years ago. [Footnote: When at war with Tiguing-coro.] Farther on we met

a small pond; being very thirsty, we spent there the best part of the

day; a little farther we found a large pond, where we made a halt, and

past the night under a tree. Departed early; arrived at noon at the

lakes of Chinchare and Tirinn. These lakes are never dry; and the King's

army always stops at them to take water. After dinner we started, and at

five P.M. arrived at another lake. We went on, and came to the village

of Giangounte after sun-set; where we stopped five days, on account of

one of my people being sick; received the first night a few provisions;

next day they killed me a bullock. Here I thanked God for my escape.

On the third day the King's people came; the village gave them a bullock

and a sheep, which I killed myself; they gave me a quarter of each for

my share. This village is surrounded by a mud wall, is well fortified,

and I presume is well secured against any attack. One of the hogs being

very large and fat, I could not carry it any farther, but with great

difficulty: I told the Chief of the village to take charge of the hog,

and have it conveyed to the King his master; to which he objected, being

afraid to take charge of an unknown animal, and the additional

responsibility of taking charge of it for his master. I told him I found

it impossible for me to carry it any farther; I should therefore leave

it with him, and he might do with it as he pleased. That the village

belonged to his master, so did the hog, and I was sure he would take

good care of it.

We departed early and arrived at noon at Fabougou. After dinner we went

to Giongoey, where we arrived after sun-set; we staid there two days.

Early in the morning we departed, and at ten A.M. arrived at the lake

Sonne; stopped a little under a tree; crossed the lake; stopped awhile

at Tonneguela; arrived and stopped at Gommingtora, where we spent the

night; received a sheep. Departed early, and at ten A. M. arrived at

Wattere. Departed in the evening and came to a large open field, very

dangerous for travellers, on account of the Moors passing there very

often. We therefore travelled during the day and all the night.

At three A.M. came to Toucha. On my way from Gommingtora here, I saw a

tree grown on the top of the dried stump of another large tree; the wood

of the above tree is employed in the composition of our gunpowder. There

is also near the tree a large and high rock, forming a pyramid, and a

large stone on the top of its head. On my arrival at Toucha, I missed a

chest which my nephew carried, and which contained some looking glasses,

beads, my fine coussabi, and my wife's bracelets, which were given me by

Governor Maxwell. I asked the boy what was become of it; he said, that

being fatigued on the way, he had given the chest to a man who had

followed our caravan from Giocha. I suspected the man had stolen it, by

not seeing him with us. I left my family and things there, and went

immediately with some of the King's people to Wattera in search of the

thief. I had the Chief of Toucha's son and the son of the Chief of

Wattera with me. From Wattera we went to Tagoubou, where we found the

thief, who had broken the chest and taken away the things; he had on my

coussabi, had sold some things, and had in hand the remainder, looking

after a slave to purchase. We seized him. The Chief of Tagoubou begged

me not to hurt him in his village, but to carry him to Dinghang. Arrived

at Dinghang. Maineoro, the Chief, told me, since I caught the thief, I

might take him away, and do as I thought proper with him.

We went and slept at Togouboo, and next morning went to Wattera.

Departed in the evening and arrived at night at Toucha, and joined my

family. On our way the thief shewed me where he had destroyed the chest.

I found the boards useless, and left them. I left Toucha early next

morning, and at nine A.M. arrived at Douabougou. The Chief wished me to

stay, but I refused, and he gave me a sheep. Farther on we passed

Dilla-faa Courna and Bonabougou, where we staid awhile, and went to see

Magnacoro at sunset: (these villages are all surrounded by Ronn-trees;

[Footnote: A species of palm tree. (I do not know the particular

name.)]) the thief carrying all the way the remaining hog. On my way

there, one of my people staid on the road, having a sore leg. I was well

treated at Magnacoro and slept there; the man with the sore leg came

next day. I staid two days. There is in this village a fine Doualli

tree, the first I had seen on my way from Senegal; this tree is most

beautiful, always green and in blossom, but bearing no fruit whatever.

On the back of the village there is a foundery for casting iron; at a

little distance on the river there is a cataract, not quite so high as

the Feloups. I took guides to shew me the right road. Departed early; at

noon arrived at Soubacarra, passed Tacoutalla; crossed there a small

rivulet; farther on crossed another, and stopped at Sirecaime, a village

situated between two mountains, where we slept. Next morning received

ten moulles [Footnote: A small measure made out of a calabash.] of corn

and departed.

At noon arrived at Camecon; received there from Fiong, the Chief, a

sheep, some milk, and corn. In the afternoon departed, and passed

Sidong. At sun-set arrived at Sannanba, where we slept. I found here my

sister and one of my wives I had left in my voyage with Mr. Park, and

where they waited for my return. I asked them what they heard concerning

Mr. Park. They assured me that they had seen Alhagi Biraim, who told

them that Mr. Park was dead; and that he saw the canoe in which he died

in the country of Haoussa; to which country, he, Alhagi, had been, and

to the place where Mr. Park died. Yamme Marabou gave me bullock; so did

Moulina one; Guiniba one; and Facoro, the Chief, also one and some corn.

Two sheep were given to me by Alhagi; one by Fatuna-bougou; one by

Amadibinne-doucara, and three by Dimba Soumares. We staid there eight

days.

On the ninth day the hog I had left behind was brought here. I received

one ass from Mouline: I gave to Amadibinne one musket and five yards of

white cotton; to Yamme half a bottle of powder; to my sister ten dollars

and one muslin pagne; to the Chief one bottle of powder and twenty

flints. I released here the thief, who all the way had carried the hog;

I released him, because I was certain, that, if once in the King's

power, he would be put to death. Four days after the hog came, being the

thirteenth day of my stay at Sannamba (Saturday), and the seventh moon

of my voyage.

I departed early, and ordered the hog to be brought along by the same

people; passed Baromba, took water at a large fountain; passed

Bancoumalla. After passing a large lake, stopped and slept at Sirberra,

at the house of Babamerine, who killed a sheep: received from Manchia

the Chief, one sheep; I gave them twenty loads of powder and ten flints.

Departed in the night, and arrived at two in the morning at Counnow.

There is but one well for the whole village, and three beautiful large

Doualli trees are round it. Found there the King's army.

There is on the east of the village an enormous large tree, inhabited by

a great number of bats; another such tree is on the west side of the

village, likewise full of bats; but what is most extraordinary, the bats

of the east constantly go at night to the west, and return to the east

at the approach of day; those of the west never go to the east. The bats

are all of the same kind. The natives say that their lawful king lies on

the west. [Footnote: Tiguing-coro, the descendant of the lawful Kings of

Sego.] The army departed about three, and I about day-light; we met on

the road the rear guard on its way to join the army. At four P.M.

arrived at Gargnie, a large village, where we slept. There is but one

door to enter it, and two large trees on each side of the door; the

village is situated in the front of a beautiful large lake, which

supplies them with water. We met there a caravan from Cancare; received

from them a few collas. Departed early, and at ten A.M. arrived at

Dedougou, where we slept. The people of Gargnie had brought here the hog

and gone back; and the people of this village being all out in their

fields, I was obliged to wait until next morning, so as to have the hog

carried; received three fowls; I gave three loads of powder. Next

morning I required four hands to carry the hog (which imposition I laid

on every village I came to) and departed. Passed Issicora and five

deserted villages; at four P. M. arrived at Yaminna, and stayed there

three days, at the house of Boya Modiba, who killed me a sheep. I gave

him two bars of scarlet cloth. A woman who had been redeemed at

Montogou, and who had followed my caravan, found here her husband, who

gave me a sheep and a hundred collas.

Departed early and arrived at noon at Yaminna, [Footnote: Bearing the

same name as the last place.] on the river Joliba (Niger). I wanted to

cross the river immediately, but the rain prevented me; at four P.M.

embarked in a canoe, and went on till about ten P.M. Arrived at

Mognongo, on the other side of the river, having passed nine villages.

The river here is very wide. Departed again, and arrived at noon at

Samman; lodged with Guinguina, where we formerly lodged with Mr. Park,

and where we lost three white men by sickness. At four P.M. departed,

and arrived at sun-set at Sego-coro, on the opposite side of Samman,

having passed four villages; lodged with Sego Somma.

This village was formerly the residence of the kings; and to this day,

when the King wishes to go to war, he always goes there to have his

gris-gris (amulets) made, and to prepare himself. When they take a king,

a prince, or a man of high rank, whether a stranger, or of the country,

they confine him until the fasting moon is come. He is brought in that

moon to this village, and laid down in a house appropriated for this

purpose only. His throat is then cut across. When the blood has

completely stained the ground, the body is carried into the open field,

and left a prey to the wild beasts. There is not a fasting moon, but

that one or more are butchered in the house, and for the space of eight

days after these executions, no man, whatever he may be, is allowed to

pass by that house (called Kognoba) without pulling off his shoes or

cap.

Departed early, passed Segobougou, Segocoura, and Douabougou, and

arrived about eight A.M. at Sego-chicoro, the residence of Dacha King of

the Bambarras, on Monday 11th of the moon. [Footnote: August 26, 1810.]

This town was built by Dacha's grandfather, [Footnote: Mansong's father,

named Wolloo.] who rebelled against the lawful king; being chosen leader

at the head of his party, drove the king from his dominions, who retired

to the west, [Footnote: He is obliged to gather another army and go

himself at the head of it, to revenge the first, should it be

destroyed.] and was proclaimed king himself. Being a great warrior, he

maintained himself on the usurped throne, and left it to his posterity,

who enjoy it peaceably now.

I lodged with Guiawe, a man attached to the King. Next morning the King

hearing of my arrival, sent to tell me he was going to Douabougou, and

wished I would go and see him there. He had got on his horse and was

proceeding, when a heavy shower of rain came on; he dismounted and went

back to his house. After the rain, he ordered me to come to him, and

bring him the hogs in the manner I had tied them for travelling. On my

entrance in the first yard I found a guard of forty men, young, strong,

and without beards. On entering another yard I met another guard, well

armed and very numerous, lying in the shade. A little farther on I found

the king sitting; there were four broad swords stuck in the ground, on

each side and behind him, which had been given to him by Mr. Park. He

had on his military coat, which he is obliged to wear when he sends out

an army, and cannot leave off until the army returns. He commonly wears

dresses of white or blue cotor, or silk, with a great many gris-gris,

covered with plates of gold or silver, sewed about his dresses. I sat

down on one side of him, and my landlord on the other side. After the

usual salutations, I laid before him the drum, the two blunderbusses,

the bed, the two hogs, the scarlet cloth, &c. and one dog. [Footnote:

The other got away on leaving Mariancounda, and was lost.] I said to

him: "Maxwell, Governor of Senegal, salutes you, and sends his

compliments to you; here is the present which Manchong (or Mansong) your

father asked of Mr. Park, and which he promised to send him." He said,

"Is the Governor well?" I said, "Yes, he is well, and desired me to beg

your assistance in his endeavours to discover what is become of Mr.

Park, and ascertain whether he is dead or alive; and that you would give

me a vessel to facilitate my voyage; and the Governor will reward you

for so doing." He replied, "What does the Governor mean to give me?" I

said, "If you render me all the assistance in your power, the Governor

will give you two hundred bars." He asked me, how the Governor could

give him that sum, being so far from him? I told him, the Governor, it

was true, was far from him; but that I was there to represent and answer

for him. He then accepted my offer and promised me his assistance. The

King ordered a bullock to be killed for me. I staid to the end of that

moon. [Footnote: September 13, 1810.]

The first [Footnote: September 14, 1810. They reckon one day when the

moon is seen.] of the following moon, being the day I intended to

depart, a prince of Tombuctoo came to Sego, to demand a wife who had

been promised him. The King went out to meet him with a guard of six

hundred men, almost naked and well armed. The prince said, that being a

friend of his father (Manchong), he thought it his duty to come and let

him know of his coming to take the wife promised him; the King replied,

"Why have you permitted the people of your country to plunder one my

caravans, [Footnote: My landlord lost his share in that caravan; seven

hundred gros of gold and a slave.] and why did you not prevent it, and

why did you yourself plunder another, belonging also to me?" The King

left the prince out, and returned to his house with the guards, after

unloading their muskets. The prince went to his lodging. He reflected

how critically he was situated, and that by his bad behaviour, the wife

which he had once been promised, had been given to another; and that the

people of the caravan he had plundered, had been before the King and

there had denounced him; and that his life was at stake. He immediately

sent three horses to the King, and half a piece of cotor [Footnote: So

in the MS. of this translation.] to all the chiefs present.

Next day the ambassadors of Giocha came together with the ambassadors of

Tiguing-coro. The day after the King went to Impebara. I next day went

to meet him there. After staying there nine days, and hearing nothing, I

was much displeased; some one went to the King and told him that I was

angry, and was about to depart. He sent to tell me he was going to

Banangcoro, and that I should go with him; he did depart from

Banangcoro, but I staid; he sent me a courier to order me near him. I

went to Banangcoro, and lodged with Inche, the King's slave and

confident. The motive of the King's journey was to see one of his

children. He has six now living: and three he had destroyed. The custom

is when a male child of the King's wives is born on a Friday, that the

throat should be cut; which is done immediately. The King sent for me. I

went to him at ten A.M.; he ordered part of the presents to be brought

before him; which was done, and among which were the hogs. [Footnote:

The remaining hog died shortly after my arrival at Sego.] They were left

loose before him and pleased him much.

On the next day (Friday) he gave me a canoe with three hands

(fishermen), and I departed on my voyage after Mr. Park the following

tide; we passed ten villages, and arrived at supper time at Sansanding,

[Footnote: This village is two days journey by land from Banangcoro.]

where we slept; departed by land at three P.M. and arrived at sunset at

Madina, and lodged with Alihou. I found there Amadi fatouma, [Footnote:

Amadou fatooma.] the very guide I had recommended to Mr. Park, and who

went with him on his voyage from Sansanding. I sent for him; he came

immediately. I demanded of him a faithful account of what had happened

to Mr. Park. On seeing me, and hearing me mention Mr. Park, he began to

weep; and his first words were, "They are all dead." I said, "I am come

to see after you, and intended to look every way for you, to know the

truth from your own mouth, how they died." He said that they were lost

for ever, and it was useless to make any further enquiry after them; for

to look after what was irrecoverably lost, was losing time to no

purpose. I told him I was going back to Sansanding, and requested he

would come the next day there to meet me, to which he agreed. I went to

Sansanding and slept there; next day I sent back the canoe to Impebara.

Amadi fatouma came at the appointed time to meet me, being the 21st day

of the moon. [Footnote: 4th October, 1810.] I desired he would let me

know what passed to his knowledge concerning Mr. Park.

AMADI FATOUMA'S JOURNAL.

We departed from Sansanding in a canoe the 27th [Footnote: This Journal

mentions no moon nor year.] day of the moon, and went in two days to

Sellee, [Footnote: Called Siila in Mr. Park's first voyage.] where Mr.

Park ended his first voyage. Mr. Park bought a slave to help him in the

navigation of the canoe. There was Mr. Park, Martyn, three other white

men, three slaves and myself as guide and interpreter; nine in number,

to navigate the canoe: without landing we bought the slave. We went in

two days to Ginne. We gave the Chief one piece of baft and went on. In

passing Sibby, [Footnote: Here no mention is made of times. Called

Dibbie in the plan.] three canoes came after us, armed with pikes,

lances, bows and arrows, &c. but no fire-arms. Being sure of their

hostile intentions, we ordered them to go back; but to no effect; and

were obliged to repulse them by force. Passed on; we passed Rakbara;

[Footnote: Called Kabra in the plan.] three came up to stop our passage,

which we repelled by force. On passing Tombuctoo we were again attacked

by three canoes; which we beat off, always killing many of the natives.

On passing Gouroumo seven canoes came after us; which we likewise beat

off. We lost one white man by sickness; we were reduced to eight hands;

having each of us fifteen muskets, always in order and ready for action.

Passed by a village (of which I have forgotten the name), the residence

of King Gotoijege; after passing which we counted sixty canoes coming

after us, which we repulsed, and killed a great number of men. Seeing so

many men killed, and our superiority over them, I took hold of Martyn's

hand, saying, "Martyn, let us cease firing; for we have killed too many

already"; on which Martyn wanted to kill me, had not Mr. Park

interfered. After passing Gotoijege a long way, we met a very strong

army on one side of the river; composed of the Poul nation; they had no

beasts of any kind. We passed on the other side and went on without

hostilities.

On going along we struck on the rocks. An hippopotamus rose near us, and

had nearly overset the canoe; we fired on the animal and drove it away.

After a great deal of trouble we got off the canoe without any material

danger. We came to an anchor before Kaffo, and passed the day there. We

had in the canoe before we departed from Sansanding, a very large stock

of provisions, salted and fresh of all kinds; which enabled us to go

along without stopping at any place, for fear of accident. The canoe was

large enough to contain with ease one hundred and twenty people. In the

evening we started and came to before an island; we saw on shore a great

quantity of hippopotami; on our approach they went into the water in

such confusion, that they almost upset our canoe. We passed the island

and sailed. In the morning three canoes from Kaffo came after us, which

we beat off. We came to near a small island, and saw some of the

natives; I was sent on shore to buy some milk. When I got among them I

saw two canoes go on board to sell fresh provisions, such as fowls,

rice, &c. One of the natives wanted to kill me; at last he took hold of

me, and said I was his prisoner. Mr. Park seeing what was passing on

shore, suspected the truth. He stopped the two canoes and people,

telling the people belonging to them, that if they should kill me, or

keep me prisoner on shore, he would kill them all and carry their canoes

away with him. Those on shore suspecting Mr. Park's intentions, sent me

off in another canoe on board; they were then released. After which we

bought some provisions from them, and made them some presents.

A short time after our departure, twenty canoes came after us from the

same place; on coming near, they hailed and said, "Amadi fatouma, how

can you pass through our country without giving us any thing." I

mentioned what they had said to Mr. Park; and he gave them a few grains

of amber and some trinkets, and they went back peaceably. On coming to a

shallow part of the river, we saw on the shore a great many men sitting

down; coming nearer to them they stood up; we presented our muskets to

them, which made them run off to the interior. A little farther on we

came to a very difficult passage. The rocks had barred the river; but

three passages were still open between them. On coming near one of them,

we discovered the same people again, standing on the top of a large

rock; which caused great uneasiness to us, especially to me, and I

seriously promised never to pass there again without making considerable

charitable donations to the poor. We returned and went to a pass of less

danger, where we passed unmolested.

We came to before Carmasse, and gave the Chief one piece of baft. We

went on and anchored before Gourinon. Mr. Park sent me on shore with

forty thousand cowries to buy provisions. I went and bought rice,

onions, fowls, milk, &c. and departed late in the evening. The Chief of

the village sent a canoe after us, to let us know of a large army

encamped on the top of a very high mountain, waiting for us; and that we

had better return, or be on our guard. We immediately came to an anchor,

and spent there the rest of the day, and all the night. We started in

the morning; on passing the above-mentioned mountain, we saw the army,

composed of Moors, with horses and camels; but without any fire-arms. As

they said nothing to us, we passed on quietly, and entered the country

of Haoussa, and came to an anchor. Mr. Park said to me, "Now, Amadi, you

are at the end of your journey; I engaged you to conduct me here; you

are going to leave me, but before you go, you must give me the names of

the necessaries of life, &c. in the language of the countries through

which I am going to pass;" to which I agreed, and we spent two days

together about it, without landing. During our voyage I was the only one

who had landed. We departed and arrived at Yaour.

I was sent on shore the next morning with a musket and a sabre, to carry

to the chief of the village, also with three pieces of white baft for

distribution. I went and gave the Chief his present: I also gave one

piece to Alhagi, one to Alhagi-biron, and the other to a person whose

name I forget, all Marabous. The Chief gave us a bullock, a sheep, three

jars of honey, and four men's loads of rice. Mr. Park gave me seven

thousand cowries, and ordered me to buy provisions, which I did; he told

me to go to the Chief and give him five silver rings, some powder and

flints, and tell him that these presents were given to the King

[Footnote: The King staid a few hundred yards from the river.] by the

white men, who were taking leave of him before they went away. After the

Chief had received these things, he enquired if the white men intended

to come back. Mr. Park being informed of this enquiry, replied that he

could not return any more. [Footnote: These words occasioned his death;

for the certainty of Mr. Park's not returning induced the Chief to

withhold the presents from the King.] Mr. Park had paid me for my voyage

before we left Sansanding: I said to him, "I agreed to carry you into

the kingdom of Haoussa; we are now in Haoussa. I have fulfilled my

engagements with you; I am therefore going to leave you here and

return."

Next day (Saturday) Mr. Park departed, and I slept in the village

(Yaour). Next morning, I went to the King to pay my respects to him; on

entering the house I found two men who came on horseback; they were sent

by the Chief of Yaour. They said to the King, "we are sent by the Chief

of Yaour to let you know that the white men went away, without giving

you or him (the Chief) any thing; they have a great many things with

them, and we have received nothing from them; and this Amadou fatouma

now before you is a bad man, and has likewise made a fool of you both."

The king immediately ordered me to be put in irons; which was

accordingly done, and every thing I had taken from me; some were for

killing me, and some for preserving my life. The next morning early the

King sent an army to a village called Boussa near the river side. There

is before this village a rock across the whole breadth of the river. One

part of the rocks is very high; there is a large opening in that rock in

the form of a door, which is the only passage for the water to pass

through; the tide current is here very strong. This army went and took

possession of the top of this opening. Mr. Park came there after the

army had posted itself; he nevertheless attempted to pass. The people

began to attack him, throwing lances, pikes, arrows and stones. Mr. Park

defended himself for a long time; two of his slaves at the stern of the

canoe were killed; they threw every thing they had in the canoe into the

river, and kept firing; but being overpowered by numbers and fatigue,

and unable to keep up the canoe against the current, and no probability

of escaping, Mr. Park took hold of one of the white men, and jumped into

the water; Martyn did the same, and they were drowned in the stream in

attempting to escape. The only slave remaining in the boat, seeing the

natives persist in throwing weapons at the canoe without ceasing, stood

up and said to them, "Stop throwing now, you see nothing in the canoe,

and nobody but myself, therefore cease. Take me and the canoe, but don't

kill me." They took possession of the canoe and the man, and carried

them to the King.

I was kept in irons three months; the King released me and gave me a

slave (woman). I immediately went to the slave taken in the canoe, who

told me in what manner Mr. Park and all of them had died, and what I

have related above. I asked him if he was sure nothing had been found in

the canoe after its capture; he said that nothing remained in the canoe

but himself and a sword-belt. I asked him where the sword-belt was; he

said the King took it, and had made a girth for his horse with it.

ISAACO'S JOURNAL IN CONTINUATION.

I immediately sent a Poule to Yaour to get me the belt by any means and

at any price, and any thing else he could discover belonging to Mr.

Park. I left Madina and went to Sansanding, and from thence to Sego. On

my arrival I went to Dacha, the King, and related to him the above

facts. He said he would have gone himself to destroy that country, if it

had not been so far. He gathered an army and went with it to Banangcoro.

I followed him there. He ordered the army to go and destroy the kingdom

of Haoussa. The army went away, passed Tombuctoo a long way, and made a

halt at Sacha; and dispatched a courier back to the King, to let him

know where they were, and that Haoussa was at too great a distance for

an army to go, without running many dangers of all kinds. The King

ordered them to go to Massina, a small country belonging to the Poule

nation, to take away all the Poules' cattle, and return. They did so,

and brought with them a great many cattle. The vanguard came with the

cattle after a voyage of three months; and the army came one month

after, which made four months they had been out. The King was much

displeased with the Chiefs' conduct, and wanted to punish them for not

going where he sent them; but they observed that they went as far as

they possibly could; that the distance was too great and would have

destroyed an army; and that prudence and the hardships they had already

sustained, had dictated the necessity of returning, though very contrary

to their inclinations. We all returned to Sego.

I went back to Sansanding and staid there, waiting for the arrival of

the Poule I had sent to Yaour. Four months after he came back, having

been eight months on his voyage, and having suffered greatly. He brought

me the belt; and said that he had bribed a young slave girl belonging to

the King, who had stole it from him; and that he could not get any thing

more, as nothing else was to be found which had belonged to Mr. Park or

his companions.

I went to Sego and informed the King of what I had got belonging to Mr.

Park, and that I was going to Senegal immediately. The King was desirous

that I should spend the rainy season with him. I said I could not stay;

as the object of my mission was attained, I wished to go as soon as

possible. Amadi fatouma being a good, honest, and upright man, I had

placed him with Mr. Park; what he related to me being on his oath,

having no interest, nor any hopes of reward whatever: nothing remaining

of Mr. Park or his effects; the relations of several travellers who had

passed the same country, agreeing with Amadou's Journal; being certain

of the truth of what he had said, and of the dangers I should have run

to no purpose in such a distant part; all these reasons induced me to

proceed no farther. After obtaining the belt, I thought it best to

return to Senegal.

_Further Intelligence from Isaaco._

Isaaco says that Mr. Park gave him his papers to carry to Gambia to

Robert Ainsley, with an order on Robert Ainsley for ten bars. That Mr.

Park went away from Sansanding with Amadi fatouma, in his presence; that

he cannot tell precisely the date, but that Mr. Park died four months

after his departure from Sansanding, which date may be nearly taken from

the date of Mr. Park's papers brought by him (Isaaco) to Robert Ainsley.

That Mr. Park had lost all his companions but four men. He arrived at

Foolah Dougou with thirty-three white men, and from Foolah Dougou to

Sego (which was eight days march, but which is generally performed in

three days by a Negro) they lost twenty-six men by rains, the damps, &c.

Mr. Park went away from Sansanding, with four men, and he himself making

five.