Travels in the interior districts of Africa: performed under the direction and patronage of the African Association, in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 ... / by Mungo Park ; With an appendix, containing geographical illustrations of Africa. By Major Rennell.

  • Park, Mungo, 1771-1806
Date:
1799
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Travels in the interior districts of Africa: performed under the direction and patronage of the African Association, in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 ... / by Mungo Park ; With an appendix, containing geographical illustrations of Africa. By Major Rennell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    their domestics, kindly determined to accompany me the two first days; and, I believe, they secretly thought they should never see me afterwards. We reached Jindey the same day, having crossed the Walli creek, a branch of the Gambia, and rested at the house of a black woman, who had formerly been the chere amie of a white trader named Hewett; and who, in consequence thereof, was called, by way of distinction, Seniora. In the evening we walked out to see an adjoining village, belonging to a Slatee named Jemaffoo Mamadoo, the richest of all the Gambia traders. We found him at home ; and he thought so highly of the honour done him by this visit, that he presented us with a fine bullock, which was immediately killed, and part of it dressed for our evening's repast. The Negroes do not go to supper till late and in order to amuse ourselves while our beef was preparing, a Mandingo was desired to relate some diverting stories ; in listening to which, and smoking tobacco, we spent three hours. These stories bear some resemblance to those in the Arabian Nights Entertain- ments ; but, in general, are of a more ludicrous cast. I shall here abridge one of them for the reader's amusement. “ Many years ago (said the relator), the people of Dooma- sansa (a town on the Gambia), were much annoyed by a lion, that came every night, and took away some of their cattle. By continuing his depredations, the people were at length so much enraged, that a party of them resolved to go and hunt the mon- ster. They accordingly proceeded in search of the common enemy, who they found concealed in a thicket; and imme-