LIFE OF MUNGO PARK. 
Ixiii 
casion for it, that they would defeat any number of Negroes 
that might come against us ; but of this we have not the 
most distant expectation. The King of Kataba (the most 
powerful King in Gambia) visited us on board the Crescent 
on the 20th and 21st; he has furnished us with a messen- 
ger to conduct us safely to the King of Woolli. 
" I expect to have an opportunity of writing to you from 
Konkodoo or Bammakoo, by some of . the slave traders; 
but as they travel very slowly, I may probably have re- 
turned to the coast before any of my letters have reached 
Goree ; at any rate, you need not be surprised if you should 
not hear from me for some months ; nay, so uncertain is 
the communication between Africa and England, that per- 
haps the next news you may hear, may be my arrival in the 
latter, which I still think will be in the month of December. 
If we have to go round by the West Indies, it will take us 
two months more ; but as Government has given me an 
unlimited credit, if a vessel is coming direct, I shall of 
course take a passage in her. I have enjoyed excellent 
health, and have great hopes to bring this expedition to a 
happy conclusion. In five weeks from the date of this 
letter the worst part of the journey will be over. Kiss all 
my dear children for me, and let them know that their 
father loves them." 
*' In a letter to Mr. Dickson dated Kayee, April 26th, 
1805, the day before his embarkation. Park writes as fol- 
lows ; " Every thing, at present, looks as favourable as I 
could wish, and if all things go well, this day six weeks I 
expect to drink all your healths in the water of the Niger. 
