Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo; and across the Great Desert, to Morocco, performed in the years 1824-1828, Vol. 1 (of 2)Caillié, René
History
Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo; and across the Great Desert, to Morocco, performed in the years 1824-1828, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Caillié, René
Sahara -- Description and travel; Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
We were obliged once more to cross the Doulinca, and, about one in
the afternoon, we halted among some Foulah herdsmen. Their huts were
built beneath the shade of large trees, a most enviable situation in
this part of the world. Since my departure from Kakondy, I had not
seen so beautiful and fertile a tract of country. Instead of rocks,
I now beheld on every side delightful plains, which required only the
labour of the husbandman to produce every thing necessary for human
life. The day had been excessively hot, and about two in the afternoon
we heard thunder in the direction of N.E. The sky was overcast with
black clouds, and the rain fell abundantly. We repaired for shelter
to the huts of the herdsmen, who at first scrupled to admit us. The
thunder rolled in terrific peals; and I expected every moment that
we should be struck by the lightning. The flashes rapidly succeeded
each other, and the sky appeared to be one sheet of flame. We lay
down on the herdsmen’s beds, consisting of round pieces of wood
placed upon posts which raised them a little from the ground, and we
patiently awaited the termination of the storm. When the rain ceased,
we left the huts, and the freshness which now pervaded the atmosphere
added new charms to the surrounding scene. We ate a little rice,
and then proceeded eastward. We crossed a little rivulet which flowed
over a bed of granite. The road was wet and muddy, which rendered our
journey fatiguing. After travelling half a mile to N.E. and another
half mile to the east, we arrived at nightfall at an ourondé, or
slave village, called Lantégué. We were again overtaken by rain on
the road, and I had recourse to my umbrella which, however, did not
entirely protect me. The chief of Lantégué gave us a hut. Before
it there was a beautiful orange-tree, beneath which I sat down on a
sheep-skin. Thunder was again heard. The sky was covered with clouds,
the atmosphere warm and damp, and it continued raining the whole of
the night. The incessant flashes of lightning continually illuminated
our hut, the door of which would not more than half shut.
We stopped at Lantégué the whole of the 26th, for one of the slaves
of our caravan, who was heavily laden, had bad feet. I spent a part of
the day in visiting the village and its inhabitants, who were about
one hundred and fifty in number. Many of them thought me too white
for a Moor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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