Explorers and their Explorations, , 41 
present a serious obstacle to the progress of exploration. 
Slave-catchers and slave- dealers were guilty of such cruelty 
and crime, that in common self defence the people rose 
against them whenever they ventured far into the country 
without sufficient force ; while, unfortunate travellers, pene- 
trating into the interior without arms or escort, were ruth- 
lessly murdered by the natives, as a measure of self-defence. 
In the course of the three hundred years which followed 
upon the discovery and conquest of parts of Africa by the 
Portuguese, millions of the natives were captured and con- 
veyed into slavery, whole tribes were decimated, vast tracts 
of country were laid waste, and geographical exploration 
was rendered almost futile. During the present century, 
however, English hearts and EngHsh efforts have been 
directed to the stamping out of this great curse, and to such 
good purpose, that everywhere, from north to south, and 
from east to west of that great continent, the name of 
EngHshman is synonymous with the idea of freedom. Not 
only so, but geographical and scientific exploration revived, 
and hosts of explorers rose up, one after another, to go 
forth, devoting themselves to the opening up of Africa. 
In 179s, Mungo Park explored Abyssinia, the Niger, 
and portions of the West Coast, under the direction of a 
society of English gentlemen. After returning, he published 
the narrative of his escapes and discoveries, from which 
arose a great desire on the part of English people to know 
more of the African continent. In 1805, Park was sent 
out by the Government, in command of an expedition, to 
decide whether the Congo and Niger were one and the same 
streams ; but, unfortunately, after losing about forty white 
men by fever, ague, and other illnesses, he was drowned at 
Boussa. Tuckey, Bowditch, Lander, and Clapperton, were 
despatched on expeditions, either at their own cost, or at 
