120 
MUNGO PARK'S 
August 1st. — ^Early this morning purchased an ass for a 
pistol, a baft, and a Mandingo cloth. We set out at seven 
o'clock. Immediately on the East of the town came to 
another stream flowing towards the S. S. W. It was so 
deep, that the whole of the bundles had to be carried over 
on men's heads. During this, being surrounded by thieves 
on all sides, Isaaco unfortunately struck two of the soldiers; 
which action had nearly cost him his life, one of the sol- 
diers attempting to stab him with his bayonet, when Mr^ 
Anderson prevented him ; and as I reproved Isaaco for his 
conduct in the sharpest manner, he went off in dipet with 
his people, leaving us to find our way across the river in 
the best manner we could. I hired four people to carry 
over the loads ; and stood myself as sentry over the thieves. 
In this manner the whole of the baggage was carried over 
with much less loss than we had sustained at any otlier 
river. The asses were swam over, and the whole only cost 
one string of No. 5 ; but I had to pay fiifty stones to the 
Booty's son for asses going on the corn. As soon as all 
was over we loaded the asses and set forwards. At sun- 
set we reached Balanding. We had only time to pitch 
our tent, when the rain came on ; indeed we had no 
time for cooking our victuals, for though all the soldiers 
cooked, yet the rain came on before our kettle was 
ready ; and Messrs. Anderson, Scott, Martyn, and my- 
