CHAP. XVII.--I set forth on my journey to TIMBO, to see the father of Ahmah-de-Bellah--My caravan and its mode of travel--My Mussulman passport--Forest roads--Arrive at KYA among the MANDINGOES--My lodgings--IBRAHIM ALI--Our supper and "bitters"--A scene of piety, love and liquor--Next morning's headache--ALI-NINPHA begs leave to halt for a day--I manage our Fullah guide--My fever--Homoeopathic dose of Islamism from the Koran--My cure--Afternoon 136 CHAP. XVIII.--A ride on horseback--Its exhilaration in the forest--Visit to the DEVIL'S FOUNTAIN--Tricks of an echo and sulphur water--Ibrahim and I discourse learnedly upon the ethics of fluids--My respect for national peculiarities--Our host's liberality--Mandingo etiquette at the departure of a guest--A valuable gift from Ibrahim and its delicate bestowal--My offering in return--Tobacco and brandy 143 CHAP. XIX.--A night bivouac in the forest--Hammock swung between trees--A surprise and capture--What we do with the fugitive slaves--A Mandingo upstart and his "town"--Inhospitality--He insults my Fullah leader--A quarrel--The Mandingo is seized and his townsfolk driven out--We tarry for Ali-Ninpha--He returns and tries his countrymen--Punishment--Mode of inculcating the social virtues among these interior tribes--We cross the Sanghu on an impromptu bridge--Game--Forest food--Vegetables--A "Witch's cauldron" of reptiles for the negroes 147 CHAP. XX.--Spread of Mahometanism in the interior of Africa--The external aspect of nature in Africa--Prolific land--Indolence a law of the physical constitution--My caravan's progress--The ALI-MAMI'S PROTECTION, its value--Forest scenery--Woods, open plains, barrancas and ravines--Their intense heat--Prairies--Swordgrass--River scenery, magnificence of the shores, foliage, flowers, fruits and birds; picturesque towns, villages and herds--Mountain scenery, view, at _morning_, over the lowlands--An African noon 153 CHAP. XXI.--We approach TAMISSO--Our halt at a brook--bathing, beautifying, and adornment of the women--Message and welcome from MOHAMEDOO, by his son, with a gift of food--Our musical escort and procession to the city--My horse is led by a buffoon of the court, who takes care of my face--Curiosity of the townsfolk to see the white Mongo--I pass on hastily to the PALACE OF MOHAMEDOO--What an African palace and its furniture is--Mohamedoo's appearance, greeting and dissatisfaction--I make my present and clear up the clouds--I determine to bathe--How the girls watch me--Their commentaries on my skin and complexion--Negro curiosity--A bath scene--Appearance of Tamisso, and my entertainment there 157