INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 3I 
their domestics, kindly determined to accompany me the two 
ffrst days ; and, I believe, they secretly thought they should 
never see me afterwards. 
We reached Jindey the same day, having crossed the Walli 
creek, a branch of the Gambia, and rested at the house of a 
black woman, who had formerly been the chere amie of a white 
trader named Hewett ; and who, in consequence thereof, was 
called, by way of distinction, Seniora. In the evening we walked 
out to see an adjoining village, belonging to a Slatee named 
JemafFoo Mamadoo, the richest of all the Gambia traders. We 
found him at home ; and he thought so highly of the honour 
done him by this visit, that he presented us with a fine bullock, 
which was immediately killed, and part of it dressed for our; 
evening's repast. 
The Negroes do not go to supper till late ; and in order to 
amuse ourselves while our beef was preparing, a Mandingo was 
desired to relate some diverting stories ; in listening to which, ^ 
and smoking tobacco, we spent three hours. These stories bear 
some resemblance to those in the Arabian Nights Entertain- 
ments ; but, in general, are of a more ludicrous cast. I shall 
here abridge one of them for the readers amusement. 
" Many years ago (said the relator), the people of Dooma- 
sansa (a town on the Gambia), were much annoyed by a lion, 
that came every night, and took away some of their cattle. By 
continuing his depredations, the people were at length so much 
enraged, that a party of them resolved to go and hunt the mon- 
ster. They accordingly proceeded in search of the common 
enemy, who they found concealed in a thicket ; and imme- 
