4,2 TRAVELS IN THE 
for some time, till at length one of them sprang forward, 
and caught his rival by the knee. Great dexterity and judg- 
ment were now displayed ; but the contest was decided by 
superior strength ; and I think that few Europeans would 
have been able to cope with the conqueror. It must not be 
unobserved, that the combatants were animated by the music 
of a drum, by which their actions were in some measure 
regulated. 
The wrestling was succeeded by a dance, in which many 
performers assisted, all of whom were provided with little bells, 
which were fastened to their legs and arms ; and here too the 
drum regulated their motions. It was beaten with a crooked stick, 
which the drummer held in his right hand, occasionally using 
his left to deaden the sound, and thus vary the music. The drum 
is likewise applied on these occasions to keep order among the 
spectators, by imitating the sound of certain Mandingo sen- 
tences : for example, when the wrestling match is about to begin, 
the drummer strikes what is understood to signify ali bee si, — sit 
all down ; upon which the spectators immediately seat them- 
selves ; and when the combatants are to begin, he strikes amuta 
amuta, — take hold, take hold. 
In the course of the evening I was presented, by way of re- 
freshment, with a liquor which tasted so much like the strong- 
beer of my native country (and very good beer too), as to induce 
me to inquire into its composition ; and I learnt, with some de- 
gree of surprise, that it was actually made from corn which had 
been previously malted, much in the same manner as barley is 
malted in Great Britain : a root yielding a grateful bitter, was 
