park's second journey* 105 



to do tfve same to every white man that should come within 

 his reach. These fears were dispelled by the appearance 

 of the royal singing man, who brought a message of wel- 

 come, with an invitation to repair to Sego, and deliver in 

 person the remaining presents intended for the monarch. 

 At Samee the party met Isaaco, who reported that there 

 was something very odd in the reception which he had re- 

 ceived from Mansong. That prince assured him, in ge- 

 neral, that the expedition would be allowed to pass down 

 the Niger ; tut whenever the latter came to particulars, 

 and proposed an interview with Mr. Park, the king began 

 to draw squares and triangles with his finger on the sand ; 

 and in this geometrical operation his mind seemed wholly 

 absorbed. Isaaco suspected that he laboured under some 

 superstitious dread of white men, and sought by these 

 figures to defend himself against their magic influence. It 

 was finally arranged that the presents should be delivered, 

 not to Mansong in person, but to Modibinne, his prime 

 minister, who was to come to Samee for that purpose. He 

 accordingly appeared, and began by requiring, in the king's 

 name, an explanation why Park had come to Bambarra 

 with so great a train from so distant a country, — allowing 

 him a day to prepare his reply. Next morning the tra- 

 veller gave an answer in form, representing his mission as 

 chiefly commercial, and holding forth the advantages which 

 Bambarra might reap by receiving European goods directly 

 from the coast, instead of circuitously, as now, through 

 Morocco, the Desert, Timbuctoo, and Jenne, having a profit 

 levied upon them at every transfer. Modibinne expressed 

 satisfaction both with the reasons and with the presents ; 

 and on his return next day offered, on the part of Man- 

 song, the option of building a boat either at Samee, Sego, 

 Sansanding, or Jenne. Park chose Sansanding, thus en- 

 abling the king to avoid a personal interview with the Eu- 

 ropeans, of which he seemed to entertain so mysterious a 

 dread. 



The voyage dovpn the river was distressing ; for, though 

 the fatigue of travelling was avoided, the heat was so in- 

 tense that it was thought suflicient to have roasted a sirloin : 

 and the sick had thus no chance of recovery. Sansanding 

 was found a prosperous and flourishing town, with a crowded 

 Cnarket remarkably well-arranged. The leading articles, 



