Like all Musulmans they are very superstitious, and have great confidence in their grigris, and when they go to war they are covered with these charms. They are naturally brave, and compel the surrounding tribes either to embrace Mahometanism or to become their tributaries. During my residence at Cambaya, I did not observe that there was any particular judge or tribunal established there for settling differences, such as Mungo Park has described in treating of the Gambia; disputes indeed often arose, but they were settled by the elders of the village. They do not even go before the chief unless when the complaint is of a serious nature, and in that case they often refer it to the decision of the almamy of Timbo, which is two days’ journey to the W.S.W. of Cambaya. Every married Mandingo is in his own family a respected chief. His hut stands in the middle of the huts occupied by his wives. On entering it, no domestic utensil is to be seen except two large jars containing the stock of grain for the year, which he deals out in portions to his wives. The bullock’s hide on which he sleeps is the only furniture of his hut, and its only ornaments are his weapons when he puts them out of his hands. When the master goes to the fields to superintend his slaves, the women bring his dinner to him. When they sit down to their meal, it is their custom to invite all who are near, or who may be passing at the time, to partake with them. If the person invited does not sit down beside the calabash, the owner takes up a handful of rice which he turns about for a long time in his hand, then dips it in the sauce, and presents it to his guest; after this act of politeness the offer cannot be refused without giving offence to the host. If strangers sit down to partake of the meal, the Mandingo plunges his hand into the dish, and stirs the rice to cool it. This also is an act of politeness. The master pours the sauce on the rice himself, eats the first handful, and invites his guests to follow his example. In beginning to eat they always say _bismillah_, (in the name of God &c.). People often leave these repasts only half satisfied, for a number of idlers stroll about in every direction for the purpose of obtaining a share of their neighbours’ dinners. I shall have occasion hereafter to speak more fully of the manners of the Mandingoes, which somewhat differ in every country.