INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 245 
CHAPTER XIX. 
Government of Manding. — The Author's Reception by the Mafisa, 
or chief Man of Sibidooloo, who takes Measures for the Re- 
covery of his Horse and Effects. — The Author removes to 
Wanda; — great Scarcity, and its afflicting Consequences. — The 
Author recovers his Horse and Clothes — presents his Horse to 
the Mansa; and prosecutes his Journey to Kamalia — some 
Account of that Town. — The Author's kind Reception by Karfa 
Taura, a Slatee, who proposes to go to the Gambia in the next 
dry Season, with a Caravan of Slaves. — The Author's Sickness,, 
and Determination to remain and accompany Karfa. 
The town of Sibidooloo is situated in a fertile valley, sur- 
rounded with high rocky hills. It is scarcely accessible for 
horses, and during the frequent wars between the Bambarrans, 
Foulahs, and Mandingoes, has never once been plundered by 
an en^emy. When I entered the town, the people gathered 
round me, and followed me into the baloon ; where I was present- 
ed totheDooty or chief man, who is here called Mansa, which 
usually signifies king. Nevertheless, it appeared to me that the 
government of Manding was a sort of republic, or rather an 
oligarchy; every town having a particular Mansa, and the 
ehief power of the state, in the last resort, being lodged in 
