INTERIOR OF AFRICA. I95 
I hastened to the brink, and, having drank of the water, hfted 
up my fervent thanks in prayer, to the Great Ruler of all 
things, for having thus far crowned my endeavours with 
success. 
The circumstance of the Niger's flowing towards the east, 
and its collateral points, did not, however, excite my surprise; 
for although I had left Europe in great hesitation on this sub- 
ject, and rather believed that it ran in the contrary direction, 
I had made such frequent inquiries during my progress, con- 
cerning this river; and received from Negroes of different 
nations, such clear and decisive assurances that its general 
course was towards the rising sun, as scarce left any doubt on 
my mind ; and more especially as I knew that Major Houghton, 
had collected similar information, in the same manner. 
Sego, the capital of Bambarra, at which I had now arrived, 
consists, properly speaking, of four distinct towns; two on 
the northern bank of the Niger, called Sego Korro, and Sego 
Boo ; and two on the southern bank, called Sego Soo Korro^ 
and Sego See Korro. They are all surrounded with high 
mud-walls; the houses are built of clay, of a square form, with 
flat roofs; some of them have two stories, and many of them 
are whitewashed. Besides these buildings, Moorish mosques 
are seen in every quarter; and the streets, though narrow, are 
broad enough for every useful purpose, in a country where 
wheel carriages are entirely unknown. From the best in- 
quiries I could make, I have reason to believe that Sego con- 
tains altogether about thirty thousand inhabitants. The King 
of Bambarra constantly resides at Sego See Korro; he employs 
Cc 2 ' 
