354 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LXTIL 
sight of this tree was the view of a large sheet of 
water, which appeared on our right about three miles 
further on, and which excited in me the first idea of 
the size and richness of the upper course of the 
Niger ; it is here called Do ; but in its further course 
northwards, where the eye could not reach the border, 
it bears the particular name of Sileddu, and at least 
at certain seasons of the year is in direct connection 
with the river. 
Having then passed a small tract of cultivated 
ground and emerged from the undulating country, 
we obtained a sight of the town of Bambara, situated 
a little in front of a chain of hills, as represented in 
the accompanying woodcut. In an hour more we 
reached the place, and at the instigation of our Arab 
companion fired a salute with our pistols, whereupon 
the principal individuals made their appearance, and 
we obtained quarters without further delay. The town 
or village consists partly of low clay buildings, partly 
of huts, but the inhabitants appear to dwell almost 
exclusively in the latter, using the clay dwellings, 
which generally consist of low, oblong, and flat-roofed 
buildings, as store-rooms or magazines for depositing 
