The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805: Together with Other Documents, Official and Private, Relating to the Same Mission, to Which Is Prefixed an Account of the Life of Mr. ParkPark, Mungo
History
The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805: Together with Other Documents, Official and Private, Relating to the Same Mission, to Which Is Prefixed an Account of the Life of Mr. Park
Park, Mungo
Africa -- Discovery and exploration
To the person who assisted in settling the palaver,
amber 10
To the good people in the town 10
To Isaaco's landlord for a goat 10
------
Bars 30
The town is large and populous, and is better fortified than even
Maniakorro. We found Serenummo seated in a sort of shade, surrounded by
only a few friends; orders having been given not to allow any person to
enter it. He enquired if I was the white man who had formerly passed
through the country, and what could induce me to come back again; with a
number of such questions. To all which I gave the best answers I could;
and then told him that I did not come to purchase slaves or gold; I did
not come to take any man's trade from him or any man's money; I did not
come to make money, but to spend it; and for the truth of these
assertions I could appeal to every person who knew me or had travelled
with me. I farther added, it was my intention at present to travel
peaceably through his kingdom into Bambarra; and that as a mark of my
regard for his name and character, I had brought a few articles which my
guide would present to him. Here Isaaco spread out on the floor the
articles before mentioned. The King looked at them with that sort of
indifference which an African always affects towards things he has not
before seen. However much he may admire them, he must never appear in
the least surprised. He told me I should have permission to pass; and he
would make his son take care of us till we arrived at Sego; but it would
be some days before he was ready. I told him I was anxious to be in
Bambarra, as I found my people very sickly; and if he would appoint me a
guide, I would esteem it a favour. In fact I knew before, that this son
proposed going to Sego with the annual tribute, which amounts to three
hundred minkallis of gold or thereabouts; but I knew that the gold was
not yet all collected, and that part of it would probably be bought with
the merchandize I had given him.
July 25th.--Bought two asses for fifty-six bars of amber. During our
stay at this town we were plentifully supplied with milk on moderate
terms. I always purchased two camp kettles full every morning for the
men, in hopes of recruiting them before we set forwards for the Niger;
but they still continue sick and spiritless. Corporal _Powal_ is
dangerously ill of the fever, and _M'Inelli_ is affected with the
dysentery to such a degree, that I have no hopes of his recovery. He was
removed yesterday to the shade of a tree at a small distance from the
tents; and not being brought near in the evening, he was very near being
torn to pieces by the wolves. They were smelling at his feet when he
awakened, and then set up such a horrid howl, that poor M'Inelli, sick
as he was, started up and came to the tents before the sentry could
reach the place where he had slept.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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