Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo; and across the Great Desert, to Morocco, performed in the years 1824-1828, Vol. 2 (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. 2 (of 2)
Caillié, René
Sahara -- Description and travel; Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
About one in the afternoon, we lay to at a spot where we observed
bushes and cut some for fire-wood. At this spot the river is
only about three quarters of a mile broad. I went ashore with the
slaves. The land, which is subject to inundations, is not destitute
of vegetation. I saw naucleas and mimosas twelve feet high. In the
course of the voyage, the master of the canoe asked me to lend him
five thousand cowries, until the Moor, who was the owner, and who
was daily expected, should arrive. The negro had already cheated
me more than once, and as I was apprehensive that I should never be
repaid, which would have infallibly been the case, I refused to lend
him such a sum. He made several individuals apply to me for him,
but I would not comply. Finding that I was determined not to lend
him the cowries, he threw out threats against me, and went so far
as to pull me by the legs to make me leave the boat. He collected
what articles belonged to me and threw them on deck, accompanying
the action with many violent and rude expressions. He intimated
that he would drive me among the slaves, and thus insulted me in
a thousand different ways.
When I went on shore he objected to my going in the small boat. I
knew not to whom I could complain of all these vexations, for there
was no person on board who could protect me. At last the young Foulah
obtained his consent to my going in the little canoe, to be put on
shore along with some slaves. On landing, I seated myself under the
shade of a mimosa, and, reflecting sorrowfully on the disagreeable
situation in which I should be placed during the voyage if I did not
lend him the cowries, I resolved to make that sacrifice. He came
on shore to me, and assailed me with fresh reproaches, insisting
at the same time that I certainly ought to place confidence in him,
and assuring me that he would repay the debt on the arrival of his
master. Though my resources were greatly diminished, and I felt
that the strictest economy was indispensible, I promised for the
sake of peace to lend him a thousand cowries. From that moment
our quarrel terminated. His example was however followed by one
of his comrades. These two negroes completely abused the advantage
which circumstances had given them over me; and when we arrived at
Timbuctoo I found it impossible to procure repayment.
About three o’clock in the afternoon, while we were proceeding
on our voyage, the canoe, which had put off from the shore with
the slaves to bring them on board, sunk in consequence of being
leaky and overloaded. The poor women, embarrassed by the weight
of the pagnes about their loins, were in the greatest danger: but
prompt assistance was given and every one was got on board without
any further accident. It is usual to anchor the boats close to the
banks of the river, but when the canoe filled we were under way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo; and across the Great Desert, to Morocco, performed in the years 1824-1828, Vol. 2 (of 2) — John Shaqi
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