Chap. LIX. GOVERNOR OF SAY. — NEW COUNTRY. 249 
or G6g6, the ancient capital of Songhay, and col- 
lected tribute from the Fiilbe or Fellani settled near 
that place, but that he had been prevented by the 
threatening attitude of the Tawarek from penetrating 
any further, In consequence of this expedition on 
the river, made in open boats which were continually 
filling with water, the governor was suffering very 
severely from rheumatism, and was scarcely able to 
move. 
Having so many petty chiefs before me, and seeing 
that this officer did not possess much power, I did 
not choose to give him a large present ; but on my 
return the following year, when I still had some- 
thing left, I made him a more considerable present 
of a berniis. 
Having entered a new country, where a language 
was spoken (the Songhay) with which neither I nor 
any of my servants was acquainted, and not being 
able to give much time to its study, as I had to apply 
myself to the Fulfdlde, the language of the conquer- 
ing tribe, I was extremely anxious to take into my 
service a native of the country, or to liberate a 
Songhay slave ; but I did not succeed at this time, 
and, in consequence, felt not so much at home in 
my intercourse with the inhabitants of the country 
through which I had next to pass, as I had done for- 
merly. For Gurma, although originally inhabited by 
quite a distinct race, has been conquered and peopled 
by the Songhay to a great extent. 
