From Kabra, at the distance of eleven days' journey, down the stream, the river passes to the southward o f Houssa, which is two days' journey distant from the river. Of the further progress of this great river, and its final exit, all the natives with whom I conversed, seem to be entirely ignorant. . Their commercial pursuits seldom induce them to travel further than the cities of Tombuctoo and Houssa; and as the sole object of those journies is the acquirement of wealth, they pay but little: attention to the course of rivers, or the geography of countries. It is, however, highly probable that the Niger affords a safe and easy communication between very remote nations. All my informants agreed, that many of the Negro merchants who arrive at Tombuctoo and Houssa, from the eastward, speak a different language from that of Bambarra, or any other kingdom with which they are acquainted. But even these merchants, it would seem, are ignorant of the termination of the river, for such of them as can speak Arabic, describe the amazing length of its course in very general terms; saying only, that they believe it runs to the world’s end. The names of many kingdoms to the eastward of Houssa, are familiar to the inhabitants o f Bambarra. I was shewn quivers and arrows of very curious workmanship, which I was informed came from the kingdom of Kassina. On the northern bank of the Niger, at a short distance from Silla, is the kingdom of Masina, which is inhabited by Foulahs. They employ themselves there, as in other places, chiefly in pasturage, and pay an annual tribute to the King of Bambarra, for the lands which they occupy. T o the north-east of Masina, is situated the kingdom of Tombuctoo, the great object of European research ; the capital of this kingdom being one. of the principal marts for that extensive commerce which the Moors carry on with the Negroes. The hopes of acquiring wealth in this pursuit, and zeal for propagating their religion, have filled this extensive city with Moors and Mahomedan converts ; the king himself, and all the chief officers of state are Moors ; and they are said to be more severe and intolerant in their principles than any other of the Moorish tribes in this part of Africa. I was informed by a venerable old Negro, that when he first visited Tombuctoo, he took up his lodging at a sort of public inn, the landlord of which, when he conducted him into his hut, spread a mat on the floor, and laid a rope upon i t ;. saying “ if you are a Mussulman | you are my friend, sit down ; but if you are a Kafir, you are “ my slave ; and with this rope, I will lead you to market." The present King of Tombuctoo is named Abu Abrahima ; he is reported to possess, immense riches. His wives and concubines are said to be clothed in silk, and the chief officers of state live in considerable splendour. The whole expence of his government is defrayed, as I was told, by a tax upon merchandize, which -is collected at the gates of the city. The city of Houssa,. (the capital of a large kingdom of the same name, situated to the eastward of Tombuctoo,). is another great mart for Moorish commerce. I conversed with many merchants who had visited that city ; and they all agreed that it is larger, and more populous, than Tombuctoo. The trade, police, and government, are nearly the same in both ; but
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