Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke. 



canoes upon the river, the crowded population, and the 

 cultivated state of the surrounding country, formed altogether 

 a prospect of civilization and magnificence, which 1 little 

 expected to find in the bosom of Africa. 1 waited more 

 than two hours without having an opportunity of crossing 

 the river, during which time, the people who had crossed 

 carried information to Mansong the King, that a white man 

 was waiting for a passage and was coming to see him. He 

 immediately sent over one of his chief men, who informed 

 me, that the King could not possibly see me, until he knew 

 what had brought me in his country, and that I must 

 not presume to cross the river without the King's permis- 

 sion. He therefore advised me to lodge at a distant village, 

 to which he pointed, for the night, and said that in the 

 morning he would give me further directions how to con- 

 duct myself. This was very discouraging, however as 

 there was no remedy, 1 set off for the village, where I 

 found to my great mortification, that no person would admit 

 me into his house. I was regarded witli astonishment and 

 fear, and was obliged to sit all day without victuals, in the 

 shade of a tree ; the night threatened to be very uncomfort- 

 able, for the wind arose and there was great appearance of 

 a heavy rain, and the wild beasts are so very numerous in 

 the neighbourhood, that I should have been under the 

 necessity of climing up the tree and resting amongst the 

 branches ; about sun-set however as I was preparing to pass 

 the night in this manner, and had turned my horse loose 

 that he might graze at liberty, a woman returning from the 

 labours of the field, stopped to observe me, and perceiving 

 that 1 was weary and dejected, inquired into my situation, 

 which I briefly explained to her, whereupon, with looks 

 of great compassion, she took up my saddle and bridle 

 and told me to follow her; having conducted me to her 

 hut, she lighted up a lamp, spread a mat for me on the 

 iloor, and told me I might remain there for the night; 



