140 
MUNGO PARK'S 
which time having gained the summit of the ridge which 
separates the Niger from the remote branches of the Se- 
negal, I went on a little before ; and coming to the brow 
of the hill, I once more saw the Niger rolling its immense 
stream along the plain ! 
After the fatiguing march which we had experienced, 
the sight of this river was no doubt pleasant, as it promised 
an end to, or to be at least an alleviation of our toils. But 
when I reflected that three-fourths of the soldiers had died 
on their march, and that in addition to our weakly state 
we had no carpenters to build the boats, in which we pro- 
posed to prosecute our discoveries ; the prospect appeared 
somewhat gloomy. It however afl^orded me peculiar plea- 
sure, when I reflected that in conducting a party of 
Europeans, with immense baggage, through an extent of 
more than five hundred miles, I had always been able to 
preserve the most friendly terms with the natives. In fact, 
this journey plainly demonstrates, 1st. that with common 
prudence any quantity of merchandize may be transported 
from the Gambia to the Niger, without danger of being 
robbed by the natives : 2dly, that if this journey be per- 
formed in the dry season, one may calculate on losing not 
more than three or at most four men out of fifty. 
But to return to the Niger. The river was much swelled 
by the rains, but did not appear to overflow its banks. It 
