l6 TRAVELS IN THE 
when the whole party is intoxicated with mead, his son, or the 
eldest of his sons (if he has more than one), endeavours to pro- 
cure his father's sandals, which he wears once a year, on the 
anniversary of his father's death, until a fit opportunity offers 
of revenging his fate, when the object of his resentment seldom 
escapes his pursuit. This fierce and unrelenting disposition is, 
however, counterbalanced by many good qualities ; they display 
the utmost gratitude and affection towards their benefactors; 
and the fidelity with which they preserve, whatever is intrusted 
to them is remarkable. During the present war they have, 
more than once, taken up arms to defend our merchant vessels 
from French privateers ; and English property, of considerable 
value, has frequently been left at Vintain, for a long time, en- 
tirely under the care of the Feloops ; who have uniformly 
manifested on such occasions .the strictest honesty and punc- 
tuality. How greatly is it to be wished, that the minds of a 
people so determined and faithful, could be softened and civi- 
lized, by the mild and. benevolent spirit of Christianity. 
The Jaloffs (or Yaloffs) are an active, powerful, and warlike 
race, inhabiting great part of that tract which lies between the 
river Senegal, and the Mandingo States on the Gambia ; yet 
they differ from the Mandingoes, not only in language, but 
likewise in complexion and features. The noses of the Jaloffs are 
not so much depressed, nor the lips so protuberant, as among the 
generality of Africans ; and although their skin is of the deepest 
black, they are considered by the white traders, as the most 
sightly Negroes in this part of the Continent. 
They are divided into several independent states or kingdoms ; 
