a great many slaves in conveying people over the river, and the money they receive (though the fare is only ten Kowrie shells for each individual) furnishes- a considerable revenue to the king, in the course of a year. The canoes are of a singular construction, each of them being formed o f the trunks of two large trees, rendered concave, and joined together, not side by side, but end w a ys; the junction being exactly across, the middle of the canoe: they are therefore .very long and dispro- portionably narrow, and have neither decks nor masts .; they are, however, very roomy ; for I observed in one of.'them four horses, and several people, crossing 'over * the river. When we arrived at this ferry, with a view to pass over to that part of the town in which the kingiresides, .we found st-great number waiting for a passage; they looked at me with .silent wonder, and I distinguished, with concern, many Moors,among them. There were three different places of embarkation, and the ferry- men were very diligent and . expeditious ;':but,, frpm the,crowd of people, I could not immediately obtaijl,a .passage ; and sat down upon the bank of the river, to wait for a more favourable opportunity. The view of this'extensive city ; the numerous canoes upon the river ; the crowded: population, and the cultivated state of the surrounding country, formed altogether a 1 prospect of civilization and magnificence, which I little expected to find in the bosom of Africa. I waited more than two hours, without having an opportunity of crossing the river; during which time the people who had crossed, carried information to Mansong the King, that a white man was waiting for a passage, and was coming to: see him. He immediately sent over one of his chief men, who informed me that the king could not possibly see me, until he "knew what had brought me into his country ; and that I must not presume to cross the river without the king's permission. He therefore advised meto lodge at a distant village, to which he pointed, for the night .; and said that in the morning he would give me further instructions how to conduct myself. This was very discouraging. However, as there was no remedy, I set off for the village ; • where I found, to my great mort ification, that no persdn would admit me into his house. I was regarded With astonishment and fear, and was obliged to sit all day without victuals, in the shade of a tree ; and the night threatened to- be very Uncomfortable, for the wind rose, and there Was great appearance of a heavy rain ; and the wild beasts are so very numerous in the neighbourhood, that I should have been under the necessity of climbing up the tree, and resting amongst the branches. About sunset, however, as I was preparing to pass the night in this manner, and had turned my horse loose, that he might graze at liberty, a woman, returning from the labours of the field, stopped to observe me, and perceiving^ that I was weary and dejected, inquired into my situation, which I briefly explained to her ; whereupon, with looks of great compassion, she took up my saddle and bridle, and told me to follow her. Having conducted me into her hut, she lighted up a lamp, spread a mat on the floor, and told me I might remain there for the night. Finding that I was very hungry, she said she would procure me something to eat. She accordingly went out, and returned in a short time with a very
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