226 TRAVELS IN THE 
should better answer the purpose of my mission, by proceeding 
to the westward along the Niger, endeavouring to ascertain 
how far the river was navigable in that direction. Having re- 
solved upon this course, I proceeded accordingly ; and a little 
before sunset arrived at a Foulah village called Sooboo, where, 
for two hundred Kowries, I procured lodging for the night. 
Aug. 14th. I continued my course along the bank of the 
river, through a populous and well cultivated country. I passed 
a walled town called Kamalia,* without stopping ; and at noon 
rode through a large town called Samee, where there happened 
to be a market, and a number of people assembled in an open 
place in the middle of the town, selling cattle, cloth, corn, &c. 
I rode through the midst of them without being much observed ; 
every one taking me for a Moor. In the afternoon I arrived 
at a small village called Binni, where I agreed with the 
Booty's son, for one hundred Kowries, to allow me to stay for 
the night ; but when the Dooty returned, he insisted that I 
should instantly leave the place ; and if his wife and son had not 
interceded for me, I must have complied. 
Aug. 15th. About nine o'clock I passed a large town called 
Sai, which very much excited my curiosity. It is completely 
surrounded by two very deep trenches, at about two hundred 
yards distant from the walls. On the top of the trenches are a 
number of square towers ; and the whole has the appearance of 
a regular fortification. Inquiring into the origin of this ex- 
traordinary entrenchment, I learned from two of the towns- 
* There is another town of this name, hereafter to be mentioned. 
