62 EARLY ENGLISH DISCOVERIES. 



Buckar Sano undertook to introduce the English at the 

 court of Tenda. On reaching the king's presence, they 

 witnessed an example of the debasing homage usually paid 

 to negro princes, and of which Clapperton, in Eyeo, after- 

 ward saw several striking instances. The great and wealthy 

 merchant, on appearing in the presence of the king, first fel! 

 on his knees, then throwing off his shirt, extended himself 

 naked and flat on the ground, while his attendants almost 

 buried him beneath dust and mud. After grovelling for 

 some time in this prone position, he started up, shook off the 

 earth, which two of his wives assisted in clearing from his 

 person, and he was then speedily equipped in his best attire, 

 with bow and quiver. He and his attendants, after having 

 made a semblance of shooting at Jobson, laid their bows at 

 his feet, which was understood as a token of homage ; the 

 king even assured the English captain that the country and 

 every thing in it were thus placed at his disposal. In returri 

 for gifts so magnificent, it was impossible to refuse a few 

 bottles of excellent brandy ; the value of which, however, 

 Jobson never expected to realize from these regal dona- 

 tions. 



The English commander soon found himself in the middle 

 of the dry season, and the river sinking lower and lower ; 

 yet he still made a hard struggle to ascend, animated by the 

 deceitful or inflated reports of Buckar Sano concerning the 

 city of gold. At the distance of a few days' journey he heard 

 of Tombaconda, which he conjectured to be Timbuctoo. 

 The conclusion was most erroneous, that city being distant 

 nearly a thousand miles ; but Europeans had formed as yet 

 no adequate idea of the dimensions of Africa. At length 

 the stream became so shallow that Jobson found it in vain 

 to attempt ascending higher. He began his voyage down- 

 ward on the 10th February, proposing to make a fresh 

 attempt during the season when the periodical rains should 

 have filled the channel. This purpose was never executed. 

 Both he and the company became involved in quarrels with 

 the merchants, against whom he bitterly inveighs as persons 

 who entirely disregarded every object beyond their own im- 

 mediate profit. 



Jobson earlier, perhaps, than any other Englishman, had 

 an opportunity of observing the manners and superstition* 

 wliich are peculiar to native Africa. He found each princ* 



