246 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LIX. 
large supply of this useful article in Gando, where 
the onions are excellent. 
Being detained in this place longer than I wished, 
and feeling a little better, on the Thursday follow- 
ing I took a ride along the river to some distance 
below, where it takes a westerly bend, and I was 
astonished at the dry and barren aspect which this 
island bore, even here neither rice crops nor vegetables, 
as might be expected along the banks of so noble 
a river, being seen. The island, which during the 
highest level the river attains becomes almost in- 
undated, bore the aspect of a scorched treeless 
prairie ; and disappointed in my expectation of find- 
ing a cool shade, I returned into the town, being 
cheerfully saluted by all the people whom I met, the 
name of a modibo or learned man, which preceded 
me, gaining me the favour of the inhabitants. While 
passing along the streets, I was delighted to observe 
a certain degree of industry displayed in small handi- 
crafts and in the character of the interior of the 
households. 
Everything was very dear, but particularly butter, 
which was scarcely to be procured at all. All the 
currency of the market consists of shells; but I 
found the most profitable merchandise to be the 
black cloth for female apparel from Gando, which 
realized a profit of eighty per cent., while the Kan6 
manufactures did not find a ready sale. The black 
Niipe tobe, of common manufacture, bought in Gando 
for 3300 shells, here fetched 5000, while the black 
