park's first JOURNEr. 99 



tudes which had rendered the former part of liis journey so 

 full of interest and adventure. In traversing the high coun- 

 tries of Manding, Konkodoo, and Dindikoo, the chief object 

 which attracted his attention was the mode of extracting 

 gold. This precious metal did not occur in the form of ore, 

 or in large masses, but its grains were mingled with a spe- 

 cies of dust or sand. This golden earth appears to be 

 chiefly washed down by torrents from the summit of the 

 neighbouring chain of mountains ; but it is collected with 

 most advantage after the ground is dry and the harvest re- 

 moved. Being indicated by its reddish tinge, it is put intc 

 large baskets, called calabashes, and agitated with a rotatory 

 motion, so that at every turn a portion of light sand mixed 

 with water flies over the brim. The weightier parts then 

 remaining are mixed with pure water, stirred, and carefully 

 examined ; and it is considered satisfactory if three or four 

 grains are found in the whole basket. The dust is pre- 

 served in quills, which are often stuck in the hair as orna- 

 ments. 



The most formidable part of the journey homeward was 

 through the Jallonka wilderness, a vast and very dense 

 forest, in which the caravan travelled during five days with- 

 out seeing a human habitation. They marched in close and 

 regular order, to protect the party against the attack of wild 

 beasts, whose roarings were heard continually around them, 

 and to which every one who straggled was sure to fall a 

 victim. Such, too probably, was the lot of Nealee, a female 

 slave, who, either from obstinacy or from excessive fatigue, 

 refused to proceed any farther ; and after vain attempts to 

 compel her by the whip, she was abandoned to her fate. 

 On emerging from this forest, they had no difficulty in pass- 

 ing through the fine open country of Dentila, and the 

 smaller wilderness of Tenda. Mr. Park was again on the 

 Gambia; and on the 10th June, 1797, reached Pisania, 

 where he was received as one risen from the dead ; for all 

 the traders from the interior had believed and reported, that, 

 like Major Houghton, he was murdered by the Moors of Lu- 

 damar. Karfa, his benefactor, received double the stipu- 

 ated price, and was overpowered with gratitude ; but when 

 he saw the commodious furniture, the skilful manufactures, 

 the superiority in all the arts of life, displayed by the Eu- 

 iopeans, when compared with the attaimuents of his coun- 



