23O TRAVELS IN THE 
in it ; but, in order to satisfy myself respecting its population 
and extent, I resolved to ride through it ; in doing which I 
observed a great many Moors sitting upon the Bentangs, and 
other places of public resort. Every body looked at me with 
astonishment ; but as I rode briskly along, they had no time to 
ask questions. 
I arrived in the evening at Farra, a walled village ; where, 
without much difficulty, I procured a lodging for the night. 
Aug. 17th. Early in the morning I pursued my journey, 
and at eight o'clock passed a considerable town called Balaba ; 
after which the road quits the plain, and stretches along the 
side of the hill. I passed in the course of this day, the ruins of 
three towns ; the inhabitants of which were all carried away 
by Daisy, King of Kaarta, on the same day that he took and 
plundered Yamina. Near one of these ruins I climbed a tama- 
rind tree, but found the fruit quite green and sour ; and the 
prospect of the country was by no means inviting ; for the high 
grass and bushes seemed completely to obstruct the road, and 
the low lands were all so flooded by the river, that the Niger 
had the appearance of an extensive lake. In the evening I 
arrived at Kanika, where the Dooty, who was sitting upon an 
elephant's hide at the gate, received me kindly ; and gave me 
for supper, some milk and meal ; which I considered (as to a 
person in my situation it really was) a very great luxury. 
Aug. 18th. By mistake, I took the wrong road, and did 
not discover my error until I had travelled near four miles ; 
when coming to an eminence, I observed the Niger con- 
siderably to the left. Directing my course towards it, I 
