Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke, 



and we set out immediately. About four o'clock we stopped 

 at a small village, where one of the negroes met with an 

 acquaintance, who invited us to a sort of public entertain- 

 ment, which was conducted with uncommon propriety. 

 A dish made of sour milk and meal called sinkatoo, and 

 beer made from their corn was distributed with great libe- 

 rality, and the women were admitted into the society. 

 There was no compulsion, each was allowed to drink as he 

 pleased, they nodded to each other when about to drink, 

 and on setting down the calabash commonly said berka 

 (thank you.) Both men and Avomen appeared to be some- 

 what intoxicated, but they were far from being quarrelsome. 

 We now began to approach the city of Sego, the residence 

 of the King and the capital of Bambarra, to whom the 

 Kaartans, my companions, promised to introduce me, 



Aterwards we rode through a marshy valley, and as 1 

 was looking out anxiously for the river, one of them called 

 out " geo-flilli," (see the water) and looking forwards, I 

 saw with infinite pleasure the great object of my mission, 

 the long soughtrfor majestic Niger glittering to the morning 

 sun, as broad as the Thames at Westminster, and flowing 

 slowly to the eastward. I hastened to the brink, and having 

 drank of the water, lifted up my fervent thanks in prayer 

 to the Great Ruler of all things, for having thus far crowned 

 my endeavours with success. The circumstance of the 

 Niger flowing towards the east and its collateral points, did 

 not however excite my surprize, though I had left Europe 

 in great hesitation on this subject, and rather believed that 

 it ran in a contrary direction. I had made such frequent 

 enquiries during my progress concerning it from negroes of 

 different nations, such clear and decisive assurances, that 

 its general course was towards the rising sun, as scarce left 

 any doubt on my mind, especially as Major Houghton 

 had received similar information. 



