8 
ISAC A. 
right and before which there is a sand-bank. In general, 
all these villages resemble each other. The population va- 
ries but little. We stopped here nearly two hours to escape 
the north wind, which was blowing furiously, and which, in 
all probability, would have destroyed our frail bark. When 
it ceased we continued our course, and at nine o'clock we 
lay to at Jsaca, where we passed that night and the fol- 
lowing day. During the night the wind changed to the 
north-east, and there was a good breeze stirring. The 
banks of the river are so low that the least wind prevents 
the canoes making way ; for when the water is ever so little 
agitated the waves dash over their sides and sink them ; an 
accident of frequent occurrence. The population of Isaca may 
amount to seven or eight hundred, all Foulahs. Their houses, 
which are built of bricks baked in the sun, resemble those 
of the Bambaras. 
The inhabitants brought us fresh fish, sour milk, and 
butter, which we purchased. The butter was rolled up into 
little balls of the size of crab-apples, for which we paid six 
cowries each. In this village I saw a great quantity of dried 
fish, an article in which the inhabitants traffic very consi- 
derably. They carry it to Jenne and other neighbouring 
markets. The great arm of the river which, as the ne- 
groes informed me, branches off from Sego, and forms an 
immense island, rejoins the river a quarter of a mile 
from Isaca. This arm, which comes from the west, is very 
broad, and seems to be navigable for large boats. It has not 
a rapid current; indeed, the water appears to be almost 
stagnant. The village is situated on the right bank of the 
river, and is inhabited by Foulahs, similar to those of Fouta- 
Dhialon. They are the subjects of Sego-Ahmadou, the capital 
ot which al-Lamdou Lillahi, is a day's journey eastward from 
Isaca. They rear flocks, which are their principal wealth, 
and cultivate rice in the plains, inundated by the overflow 
of the waters. They fish with nets made of cotton cord. 
