INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 253 
On my arrival at Kamalta, I was conducted to the house of 
a Bushreen named Karfa Taura, the brother of him to whose 
hospitahty I was indebted at Kinyeto. He was collecting 
a coffle of slaves, with a view to sell them to the Euro- 
peans on the Gambia, as soon as the rains should be over. I 
found him sitting in his baloon, surrounded by several Slatees, 
who proposed to join the coffle. He was reading to them from 
an Arabic book; and inquired, with a smile, if I understood it.^ 
Being answered in the negative, he desired one of the Slatees 
to fetch the little curious book, which had been brought from 
the west country. On opening this small volume, I was sur- 
prised, and delighted, to find it our Book ofCom?no?i Prayer; and 
Karfa expressed great joy to hear that I could read it: for 
some of the Slatees, who had seen the Europeans upon the 
Coast, observing the colour of my skin (which was now become 
very yellow from sickness), my long beard, ragged clothes, 
and extreme poverty; were unwilling to admit that I was a 
white man, and told Karfa, that they suspected I was some 
Arab in disguise. Karfa, however, perceiving that I could 
read this book, had no doubt concerning me; and kindly pro- 
mise me every assistance in his power. At the same time he 
informed me, that it was impossible to cross the Jallonka wilder- 
ness for many months yet to come, as no less than eight rapid 
rivers, he said, lay in the way. He added, that he intended to set 
out himself for Gambia as soon as the rivers were fordable, and 
the grass burnt; and advised me to stay and accompany him. 
He remarked, that when a caravan of the natives could not travel 
through the country, it was idle for a single white man to 
