360 TRAVELS IN THE 
great seriousnes, what could possibly have induced me, who was 
no trader, to think of exploring so miserable a country as Africa? 
He meant by this to signify that, after what I must have witness- 
ed in my own country, nothing in Africa could in his opinion 
deserve a moment's attention. I have preserved these little traits 
of character in this worthy Negro, not only from regard to the 
man, but also because they appear to me to demonstrate that 
he possessed a mind above bis condition : and to such of my read- 
ers as love to contemplate human nature in all its varieties, 
and to trace its progress from rudeness to refinement, I hope 
the account I have given of this poor African will not be 
unacceptable. 
No European vessel had arrived at Gambia for many months 
previous to my return from the interior ; and as the rainy season 
was now setting in, I persuaded Karfa to return to his people at 
Jindey. He parted with me on the 14th with great tenderness ; 
but as I had little hopes of being able to quit Africa for the re- 
mainder of the year, I told him, as the fact was, that I expected 
to see him again before my departure. In this, however, I was 
luckily disappointed ; and my narrative now hastens to its con- 
clusion ; for on the 15th, the ship Charles-Town, an American 
vessel, commanded by Mr. Charles Harris, entered the river. 
She came for slaves, intending to touch at Goree to fill up : 
arid to proceed from thence to South Carolina. As the Euro- 
pean merchants on the Gambia, had at this time a great many 
slaves on hand, they agreed with the Captain to purchase the 
whole of his cargo, consisting chiefly of rum and tobacco, and 
deliver him slaves to the amount, in the course of two days. 
