Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 01Park, Mungo
History
Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 01
Park, Mungo
Africa -- Discovery and exploration; Niger River
About a mile from this place I heard a loud and confused noise somewhere
to the right of my course, and in a short time was happy to find it was
the croaking of frogs, which was heavenly music to my ears. I followed
the sound, and at daybreak arrived at some shallow muddy pools, so full
of frogs, that it was difficult to discern the water. The noise they
made frightened my horse, and I was obliged to keep them quiet, by
beating the water with a branch, until he had drunk. Having here
quenched my thirst, I ascended a tree, and the morning being calm, I soon
perceived the smoke of the watering-place which I had passed in the
night, and observed another pillar of smoke east-south-east, distant
twelve or fourteen miles. Towards this I directed my route, and reached
the cultivated ground a little before eleven o’clock, where, seeing a
number of negroes at work planting corn, I inquired the name of the town,
and was informed that it was a Foulah village belonging to Ali, called
Shrilla. I had now some doubts about entering it; but my horse being
very much fatigued, and the day growing hot—not to mention the pangs of
hunger, which began to assail me—I resolved to venture; and accordingly
rode up to the dooty’s house, where I was unfortunately denied
admittance, and could not obtain even a handful of corn either for myself
or horse. Turning from this inhospitable door, I rode slowly out of the
town, and, perceiving some low, scattered huts without the walls, I
directed my route towards them, knowing that in Africa, as well as in
Europe, hospitality does not always prefer the highest dwellings. At the
door of one of these huts an old motherly-looking woman sat, spinning
cotton. I made signs to her that I was hungry, and inquired if she had
any victuals with her in the hut. She immediately laid down her distaff,
and desired me, in Arabic, to come in. When I had seated myself upon the
floor, she set before me a dish of kouskous that had been left the
preceding night, of which I made a tolerable meal; and in return for this
kindness I gave her one of my pocket-handkerchiefs, begging at the same
time a little corn for my horse, which she readily brought me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account