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
At half-past five, on the morning of the 30th of April, we took leave
of our kind hosts, and proceeded to the S.E., crossing an extensive
plain, apparently susceptible of high cultivation. In descending,
we turned an elevated plain, situated in the province of Timbi. The
plain in this part is covered with red rocks, level with the ground;
the country is, generally, very open. We saw several hillocks within
the distance of seven or eight miles round us. We met a Bondou
negro, who said that he had come from Boulibané, the capital of the
country, and was going on a trading expedition to Kakondy: he had
nothing with him but gold. I was very much astonished that this man
should undertake so long and difficult a journey on foot, when he was
within reach of our establishments at Bakel, which are provided with
all sorts of merchandise. We proceeded eastward, crossing a pretty
valley, situated between two hills, and containing three villages;
the largest is Telewel: its population is, at most, five hundred. I was
overtaken by a Foulah, accompanied by one of his wives, carrying on her
head a calabash full of milk, which he begged me to accept. Ibrahim,
my guide, having stopped for a short time, had informed this Foulah
that I was an Arab from the neighbourhood of Mecca, and related to
him my adventure at Alexandria. The zealous disciple of the prophet
thought that he was performing a meritorious action in the eye of God
by giving me a little milk. When he left us he extended his hand to
me, and wished me a speedy return to my country. The road now became
somewhat more stony, and we halted for a short time beneath the shade
of some trees to wait for our companions. Several women brought us
bananas and figs, fourteen of which I purchased for three glass beads.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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