338 TRAVELS IN THE 
The Jallonkas, like the Mandingoes, are governed by a number 
of petty chiefs, who are, in a great measure, independent of each 
other : they have no common sovereign, and the chiefs are sel- 
dom upon such terms of friendship as to assist each other, even 
in war time. The chief of Manna, with a number of his people, 
accompanied us to the banks of the Bafing, or Black river (a prin- 
cipal branch of the Senegal) which we crossed upon a bridge 
of bamboos, of a very singular construction ; some idea of which 
may be formed from the annexed engraving. The river at this 
place is smooth and deep, and has very little current. Two tall 
trees, when tied together by the tops, are sufficiently long to 
reach from one side to the other ; the roots resting upon the 
rocks, and the tops floating in the water. When a few trees 
have been placed in this direction, they are covered with 
dry bamboos, so as to form a floating bridge, with a sloping 
gangway at each end, where the trees rest upon the rocks. 
This bridge is carried away every year by the swelling of the 
river in the rainy season, and is constantly rebuilt by the 
inhabitants of Manna, who, on that account, expect a small 
tribute from every passenger. 
In the afternoon we passed several villages, at none of which 
could we procure a lodging ; and in the twilight we received 
information that two hundred Jallonkas had assembled near a 
town called Melo, with a view to plunder the coffle. This in- 
duced us to alter our course, and we travelled with great secresy 
until midnight, when we approached a town called Koba. Be- 
fore we entered the town, the names of all the people belong- 
ing to the coffle were called over, and a freeman and three slaves 
