Ixii 
ACCOUNT OF THE 
errors. The course of the Gambia is certainly not so long 
as is laid down in the charts. The watch goes so correctly 
that I will measure Africa by feet and inches. 
" In case any unfavourable reports should be raised re- 
specting the termination of our journey, I request that you 
will endeavour as much as you can to prevent them from 
finding their way into the newspapers, or by any other 
manner reaching the ears of my dear wife and mother." 
To Mrs. Park. 
Kayee, River Gambia, Jpril 26, 1805. 
" I have been busy these three days in making prepa- 
rations for our journey, and I feel rather uneasy when I 
think that I can receive no letters from you till I return to 
England ; bat you ^may depend on this, that I will avail 
myself of every opportunity of writing to you, though from 
the very nature of the undertaking these opportunities will 
be but few. We set off for the Interior to-morrow morn- 
ing ; and I assure you, that whatever the issue of the pre- 
sent journey may be, every thing looks favourable. We 
have been successful thus far, beyond my highest expec- 
tations. 
" The natives instead of being frightened at us, look on 
us as their best friends, and the kings have not only granted 
us protection, but sent people to go before us. The soldiers 
are in the highest spirits ; and as many of them (like me) 
have left a wife and family in England, they are happy to 
embrace this opportunity of returning. They never think 
about difficulties ; and I am confident, if there was oc- 
