tuation, greater precision has been found necessary ; and at this time, the current value of a single bar of any kind is fixed by the whites at two shillings sterling. Thus a slave, whose price is jC15- ^ sa’d to be worth 150 bars. In transactions of this nature, it is obvious that the white trader has infinitely the advantage over the African, whom, therefore, it is difficult to satisfy ; for, conscious of his own ignorance, he naturally becomes exceedingly suspicious and wavering; and indeed so very unsettled and jealous are the Negroes in their dealings with the whites, that a bargain is never considered by the European as concluded, until the purchase money is paid, and the party has taken leave. Having now brought together such general observations 011 the country, and its inhabitants, as occurred to me during my residence in the vicinage of the Gambia, I shall detain the reader no longer with introductory matter, but proceed, in the next Chapter, to a regular detail of the incidents which happened, and the reflections which arose in my mind, in the course of my painful and perilous journey, from its commencement until my return to the Gambia. CHAPTER III. The Author sets outfrom Pisania— his Attendants— reaches Jindey. Story related by a Mandingo Negro.— Proceeds to Medina, the capital of Woolli.— Interview with the King.— Saphies or Charms.— Proceeds toKolor.— Description of Mumbo Jumbo— arrives at Koojar— wrestling Match.— Crosses the Wilderness, and arrives at Tallika,in the Kingdom of Bondou. O n the sd of December, 1795> I took my departure from the hospitable mansion of Dr. Laidley. I was fortunately provided with a Negro servant, who spoke both the English and Mandingo tongues. His name was Johnson. He was a native of this part of Africa ; and having in his youth been conveyed to Jamaica as a slave, he had been made free, and taken to England by his master, where he had resided many years ; and at length found his way back to his native country. As he was known to Dr. Laidley, the Doctor recommended him to me, and I hired him as my interpreter, at the rate of ten bars monthly, to be paid to himself, and five bars a month to be paid to his wife, during his absence. Dr. Laidley furthermore provided me with a Negro boy of his own, named Demba ; a sprightly youth, who, besides Mandingo, spoke the language of the Serawoollies, an inland people (of whom mention will
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