Departure. The Caravan sets out-Account of it on The Coffle crosses the Jallonka Wilderness.—Miserable Fate of one of the female Slaves; arrives at Sooseeta; -proceeds to Manna.-Some Account of the Jallon- kas-Crosses the main Stream of the Senegal. Bridge of a singular Construction.-Arrives at Ma- The Caravan proceeds to Konkodoo, and crosses the Fa- lemé River.-Its Arrival at Baniserile, Kirwani, and Tambacunda-Incidents on the Road.-A matrimo- nial Case.-The Caravan proceeds through many Towns and Villages, and arrives at length on the Banks of the Gambia.-Passes through Medina, the Capital of Woolli, and finally stops at Jindey.-The Author accompanied by Karfa, proceeds to Pisania -various Occurrences previous to his Departure from Africa,-takes his Passage in an American Ship.- The following AFRICAN WORDS, recurring very frequently in the course of the Narrative, it is thought necessary to prefix an Explanation of them for the Reader's convenience. Mansa. A king or chief governor. Alkaid. The head magistrate of a town or province, whose office is commonly hereditary. Dooty. Another name for the chief magistrate of a town or province; this word is used only in the interior countries. Palaver. A court of justice; a public meeting of any kind. Bushreen. A mussulman. Kafir. A Pagan native; an unbeliever. Sonakee. Another term for an unconverted native; it signifies one who drinks strong liquors, and is used by way of reproach. Slatees. Free black merchants, who trade chiefly in slaves. Coffle or Cafila. A caravan of slaves, or a company of people travelling with any kind of merchandize. Bar. Nominal money: a single bar is equal in value to two shillings sterling or thereabouts. Minkalli. A quantity of gold, nearly equal in value to ten shillings sterling. Kowries. Small shells, which pass for money in the Interior. Korree. A watering place where shepherds keep their cattle. XX EXPLANATION OF AFRICAN WORDS. Bentang. A sort of stage, erected in every town, answering the purpose of a town hall. Baloon. A room in which strangers are commonly lodged. Soofroo. A skin for containing water. Saphie. An amulet or charm. Kouskous. A dish prepared from boiled corn. Shea tou-lou. Vegetable butter. Calabash. A species of gourd, of which the Negroes make bowls and dishes. Paddle. A sort of hoe used in husbandry. IN THE INTERIOR OF AFRICA. CHAPTER I. The Author's Motives for undertaking the Voyage-his Instructions and Departure— arrives at Jillifree, on the Gambia River -proceeds to Vintain.-Some Account of the Feloops.-Proceeds up the River for Jonkakonda-arrives at Dr. Laidley'sSome Account of Pisania, and the British Factory established at that Place.-The Author's Employment during his Stay at Pisania-his Sickness and Recovery-the Country described-prepares to set out for the Interior. Soon after my return from the East Indies in 1793, having learnt that the Noblemen and Gentlemen, associated for the purpose of prosecuting Discoveries in the Interior of Africa, were desirous of engaging a person B VOL. I. ( to explore that continent by the way of the Gambia river, I took occasion through means of the President of the Royal Society, to whom I had the honour to be known, of offering myself for that service. I had been informed, that a gentleman of the name of Houghton, a Captain in the army, and formerly Fort-Major at Goree, had already -sailed to the Gambia, under the direction of the Association, and that there was reason to apprehend he had fallen a sacrifice to the climate, or perished in some contest with the natives; but this intelligence, instead of deterring me from my purpose, animated me to persist in the offer of my services with the greater solicitude. I had a passionate desire to examine into the productions of a country so little known; and to become experimentally acquainted with the modes of life, and character of the natives. I knew that I was able to bear fatigue; and I relied on my youth, and the strength of my constitution, to preserve me from the effects of the climate. The salary which the Committee allowed was sufficiently large, and I made no stipulation for future reward. If I should perish in |