Travels in Western Africa, in the years 1818, 19, 20, and 21, from the river Gambia, through Woolli, Bondoo, Galam, Kasson, Kaarta, and Foolidoo, to the river NigerGray, William, Major
History
Travels in Western Africa, in the years 1818, 19, 20, and 21, from the river Gambia, through Woolli, Bondoo, Galam, Kasson, Kaarta, and Foolidoo, to the river Niger
Gray, William, Major
Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
Both men and animals were so much exhausted, that it was found
necessary to halt until the 18th, when we moved forward at eight,
A.M. and, travelling east for about two miles up hill, we passed a
deserted town, from which we continued marching on a level barren
plain for six miles, and then descending gently for about four miles
more, we arrived at the Kuling, a fine stream running NNE. We crossed
it, and halted on its eastern bank for the night. We had scarcely
unloaded the animals when the long dry grass to windward of our
position was set fire to, and nothing but the greatest exertion
on the part of the men could have prevented it from destroying the
whole of our baggage.
It behoves travellers in that country to be extremely guarded in their
choice of a halting-place, for the path generally lies through grass
six or seven feet long, and so dry at that season, that the smallest
spark of fire is sufficient to set it in a blaze for miles. One of
our animals that had not come up with the rear, lay down with his
load, within range of the burning grass, which soon communicated
with some gunpowder, and blew the whole to pieces. On the morning
of the 19th, we moved forward at eight o’clock. The first hour’s
march lay along the side of a steep hill, rendered doubly difficult
for the animals by being covered with small rough stones. At ten
we descended to a plain, and crossed three small brooks, the first
running NNE. and the two latter S. and by W. Several of the European
non-commissioned officers and soldiers were so ill during this march,
that they lay down under some trees on the path-side. I prevailed
on two of them to move slowly forward, but the others requested to
be allowed to rest until the cool of the evening. My own horse, and
every animal in the division, were so heavily laden, that we could
not afford them any assistance. At one, P.M., we began to ascend some
rocky hills, where we were obliged to abandon three animals. At the
bottom of those hills, we passed the dry bed of a rocky watercourse,
and, shortly after, had considerable difficulty in crossing another
of the kind, near which we halted, in a small valley by the side of
a brook called Bontong Ko.
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