MODE OF NAVIGATION. 11 
glazed earthenware. They are manufactured at Jenne^ or in 
its environs, and are nearly four feet in circumference. They 
are furnished with three little supports, forming a tripod, on 
which the pot, used for boiling the rice, rests. These 
portable stoves obviate all danger that might be ap- 
prehended from the use of fire on board the vessels. Before 
the cargo is put on board, the hold is lined with thick pieces 
of wood, to prevent the goods being damaged by damp. 
These vessels being unprovided with sails, cannot make 
way except in very calm weather ; they are besides so frail, 
that the slightest wind agitating the river (the banks of 
which are very low) produces waves, which, by dashing 
against the sides of the canoes, would either damage or 
swamp them. This danger often causes delay, and renders 
the navigation tedious and perilous. When the banks are 
entirely free from bushes, the sailors row or tow the vessel 
along, and when they can reach the bottom of the river 
with poles, they push it. In this manner the greater part 
of the passage is effected, and it was by means of these poles, 
which are about twelve or fifteen feet long, that I was en- 
abled to judge of the depth of the river. It is very difficult 
to find wood of such a length in this country, and it is 
necessary to fix two pieces together lengthwise to form the 
poles. It sometimes happens that the banks are covered 
with bushes, and that the river is so deep that these poles 
cannot reach the bottom ; in such cases the sailors move 
the vessel forward by paddles three feet long ; and a place 
for the rowers is left open, quite at the fore part of the 
vessel, occupying only twelve or fourteen feet. They some- 
times stand up close against the side of the vessel, and at 
other times sit upon the merchandise, having scarcely room 
to turn themselves round in consequence of the crowded 
state of the canoe. These men are naked ; they row very 
fast, and keep time. 
The master stands at the stern and steers the vessel, 
