The Jallonkas, like the Mandingoes, are governed by a number o f petty chiefs, who are, in a great measure, independent of each other : they have no common sovereign, and the chiefs are seldom upon such terms of friendship as to assist each other, even in war time. The chief o f Manna, with a number o f his people, accompanied us to the banks of the Bating, or Black river (a principal branch o f the Senegal) which we crossed upon a bridge of bamboos, of a very singular construction ; some idea o f which may be formed from the annexed engraving. The river at this place is smooth and deep, arid has very little current: Two tall trees, when tied together by thè tops, are sufficiently long to reach from one side to the other ; the roots resting upon the rocks, and the tops floating, in the water. When a few trees have been placed in this direction, they are covered with dry bamboos, so as to form a floating bridgé, with à sloping gangway at each end, where the trees rest upon the rocks. This bridge is carried away every year by the swelling of the river in the rainy season,, and is constantly rebuilt by the inhabitants of Manna, who, on that account, expect a small tribute from every passenger. In the afternoon we passed several villages, at none o f which could we procure a lodging ; and in the twilight we received information that two hundred Jallonkas had assembled near a town called Melo, with a view to plunder the .coffle.' This induced us to alter our course, and we travelled with great secresy . until midnight, when we approached a towncalled Koba. Before we entered .the town, the names of all the people belonging to the coffle were called over, and a freeman and three slaves
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