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The following AFRICAN WORDS, recurring very frequently in the course of the narrative, it is thought necessary to prefix an explanation of them for the reader's convenience.

Mansa.

A king or chief governor.

Alkaid. The head magistrate of a town or province, whose office is commonly hereditary.

Booty. Another name for the chief magistrate of a town or province: This word is used only in the interior countries.

Palaver. A court of justice; a public meeting of any kind.

Bushreen. A mussulman.

Kafir. A pagan native; an unbeliever.

Sonakee. Another term for an unconverted native; it signifies one who drinks strong liquors, and is used by way of reproach.

Slatees. Free black merchants, who trade chiefly in slaveş. Coffle or Caffila. A caravan of slaves, or a company of people travelling with any kind of merchandize.

Bar. Nominal money; a single bar is equal in value to two shillings sterling, or thereabouts.

Minkalli. A quantity of gold, nearly equal in value to ten ⚫ shillings...

Kowries. Small shells, which pass for money in the interior.

Korree. A watering-place, where shepherds keep their cattle.

Bentang. A sort of stage, erected in every town, answering the purpose of a town hall.

Baloon. A room in which strangers are commonly lodged. Soofroo. A skin for containing water.

Saphie. An amulet or charm.

Kouskous. A dish prepared from boiled corn.

Shea-toulou. Vegetable butter.

Calabash. A species of gourd, of which the negroes make bowls and dishes.

Paddle. A sort of a hoe used in husbandry.

IN THE

INTERIOR OF AFRICA.

CHAPTER I.

The Author's Motives for undertaking the Voyage-his Instructions and Departure-arrives at Jillifree, on the Gambia River-proceeds to Vintain. Some Account of the Feloops. Proceeds up the River for Jonkakondaarrives at Dr. Laidley's. Some Account of Pisania, and the British Factory established at that Place.-The Author's Employment during his stay at Pisania—his Sickness and Recovery-the Country described-prepares to set out for the Interior.

SOON after my return from the East Indies in 1793, having learnt that the Noblemen and Gentlemen, associated for the purpose of prosecuting Discoveries in the Interior of Africa, were desirous of engaging a person to explore. that Continent, by the way of the Gambia River, I took occasion, through means of the President of the Royal Society, to whom I had the honour to be known, of offering my-self for that service. I had been informed, that a gentleman of the name of Houghton, a Captain in the army, and formerly Fort-Major at Goree, had already sailed to the Gambia, under the direction of the Association, and that there was reason to apprehend he had fallen a-sacrifice to the climate, or perished in some contest with the natives; but this intelligence, instead of deterring me from my purpose, animated me to persist in the offer of my services with the greater solicitude. I had a passionate desire to examine into the productions of a country so little known ;. and to become experimentally acquainted with the modes of life, and character of the natives. I knew that I was able to bear fatigue; and I relied on my youth, and the strength of my constitution, to preserve me from the effects

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of the climate. The salary which the Committee allowed was sufficiently large, and I made no stipulation for future reward. If I should perish in my journey, I was willing that my hopes and expectations should perish with me; and if I should succeed in rendering the geography of Africa more familiar to my countrymen, and in opening to their ambition and industry new sources of wealth, and new channels of commerce, I knew that I was in the hands of men of honour, who would not fail to bestow that remuneration which my successful services should appear to them to merit. The Committee of the Association, having made such enquiries as they thought necessary, declared themselves satisfied with the qualifications that I possessed, and accepted me for the service; and with that liberality which on all occasions distinguishes their conduct, gave me every encouragement which it was in their power to grant, or which I could with propriety ask.

It was at first proposed that I should accompany Mr. James Willis, who was then recently appointed Consul at Senegambia, and whose countenance in that capacity it was thought might have served and protected me; but Government afterwards rescinded his appointment, and I lost that advantage. The kindness of the Committee, however supplied all that was necessary. Being favoured by the Secretary of the Association, the late Henry Beaufoy, Esq. with a recommendation to Dr. John Laidley, (a gentleman who had resided many years at an English factory on the banks of the Gambia,) and furnished with a letter of credit on him for 2007. I took my passage in the brig Endeavour, a small vessel trading to the Gambia for bees wax and ivory, commanded by Captain Richard Wyatt, and I became impatient for my departure.

My instructions were very plain and concise. I was directed, on my arrival in Africa, "to pass on to the river Niger, either by the way of Bambouk, or by such other route as should be found most convenient. That I should ascertain the course, and if possible, the rise and termination of that river. That I should use my utmost exertions to visit the principal towns or cities in its neighbourhood, particularly Tombuctoo and Houssa; and that I should be afterwards at liberty to return to Europe, either by the way of Gambia or by such other route, as under all the then exist

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