INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 
CHAPTER XVllI. 
Inhospitable Reception at Taffara. — A Negro Funeral at Sooha.— 
The Author continues his Route through several Villages along 
the Banks of the Niger, until he comes to Koolikorro. — Supports 
himself by writiftg Saphies — reaches Maraboo — loses the Road; 
and after many Difficulties arrives at Bammakoo. — Takes the 
Road for Sibidooloo — meets with great Kindness at a Village 
called Kooma ; — is afterwards robbed, stripped, and plundered by 
Banditti. — The Author's Resource and Consolation under exqui- 
site Distress. — He arrives in Safety at Sibidooloo. 
ft 
On my arrival at TafFara, I inquired for the Dooty, but was 
informed that he had died a few days before my arrival, and 
that there was, at that moment, a meeting of the chief men for 
electing another ; there being some dispute about the succes- 
sion. It was probably owing to this unsettled state of the town, 
that I experienced such a w^ant of hospitality in it ; for though 
I informed the inhabitants that I should only remain with them 
for one night, and assured them that Mansong had given me 
someKowries to pay for my lodging, yet no person invited me 
to come in ; and I was forced to sit alone, under the Ben- 
tang tree, exposed to the rain and wind of a tornado, which 
ksted with great violence until midnight. At this time the 
stranger, who had assisted me in crossing the river, paid me a 
H h 
