274 
TRAVELS m AFRICA. Chap. LXXX. 
The whole valley, which is probably not less than 
from six to eight miles broad, and is studded with 
extensive islands, is very fertile, and tolerably well 
inhabited. The two towns together, Garii and Sin- 
der, according to the little I saw of them, did not 
seem to contain less than from 16,000 to 18,000 
inhabitants, and are of the utmost importance to 
Europeans in any attempt to navigate the upper 
part of the river, as they must here prepare to en- 
counter great difficulties with the natives, and at 
the same time ought here to provide themselves 
with corn sufficient to carry them almost to Tim- 
buktu. For Sinder, which in some respects still 
acknowledges the authority of the governor of Say, is 
also the market for all the corn used in this district. A 
large quantity of millet can at any time be readily ob- 
tained here, and during my journey was even exported 
in large quantities to supply the wants of the whole 
of the provinces of Zaberma and Dendina. Notwith- 
standing this great demand, the price was very low, 
and I bartered half a suniye of dukhn, equal to about 
two hundred pounds' weight, for a piece of black cloth, 
feruwdl, or zenne, which I had purchased in Gando 
for 1050 shells, a very low price indeed, not only when 
we take into account the state of things in Europe, 
but even when we consider the condition of the other 
countries of Negroland. I was also fortunate enough 
to barter the eighth part of a lump of rock salt from 
Taodenni, for eight dra of shash or muslin; but as for | 
rice, it is difficult to be got here, at least in a pre- 
