■^ A Dutch Account of Liberia 



or eighteen leagues, afterwards north-east ; but its length is 

 unknown." One of the people assured the Chevalier des 

 Marchais that he had gone up this river in his canoe for three 

 moons, when he came to a great river, whence it proceeded, 

 which ran from east to west, on which there were rich and 

 powerful nations, who drove a great trade in gold, ivory, and 



37. MERMAID ISLAND ON THE ST. PAUL'S RIVER, RESORTED TO BY EUROPEAN 

 TRADERS IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES 



slaves (.? the Makona River). " The Mesurado runs through fine 

 countries, but is so rapid that those who have laboured three 

 months in ascending it may return in eighteen days. The 

 Negroes call the rich country where their river originates JiaWj 

 that is, the country of gold." 



'* In the lagoon just mentioned are two islands, a small one 



95 





