During the whole of Adams's residence at Tombuctoo,
he never saw any other Moors than those whom he accompanied
thither, and the ten by whom they were ransomed;
and he understood from the Moors themselves, that they
were not allowed to go in large bodies to Tombuctoo.!35)
He did not see any mosque or large place of worship there;
and he does not think that they had any.
Neither Adams nor the Portuguese boy were ever subjected
to any restraint whilst they remained at Tombuctoo.
They were allowed as much food, and as often as they
pleased; and were never required to work. In short, they
never experienced any act of incivility or unkindness from
any of the Negroes, except when they were taken prisoners
in company with the Moors engaged in stealing them.!36)
Adams could not hear that any white man but themselves
had ever been seen in the place; and he believes, as well
from what he was told by the Moors, as from the uncommon
curiosity which he excited (though himself a very dark
man, with short curly black hair), that they never had
seen one before. (ST)
There was no fall of rain during his residence at Tombuctoo,
except a few drops just before his departure; and
he understood from the Negroes that they had usually little
or none, except during the three months of winter, which
is the only season when the desert can be crossed, on
account of the heat.!38) In some years, Adams was
informed, when the season had been unusually dry, there
was great distress at Tombuctoo for want of ± revisions :
but no such want was felt whilst he was there.
He never proceeded to the southward of Tombuctoo,
further than about two miles from the town, to the mountains
before spoken o f; and he never saw the river Joliba:
but he had heard it mentioned; and was told at Tudenny,
that it lay between that place and Bambarra.!3»)
Being asked the names of any other places which he
had heard mentioned, he recollected that the people of
Tombuctoo spoke of Mutnougo, and of a very considerable
place to the eastward called Tuarick, to which they traded.
He had also often heard them mention Mandingo, and
Bondou ; but he cannot recollect what was said respecting
these places.*
The following is a list of some of the words which
Adams recollects in the language of Tombuctoo.!40)
Man, - - Jungo.
Woman, - - Jumpsa.
Camel, - - So.
* Adams mentioned Jinnie to me, amongst the towns which he had heard
named by the Negroes of Tombuctoo. D.