PLAN FOR EXPLORING AFRICA. 
85 
dise at Tafilet for the purpose of exportation. On reaching 
Timbuctoo, the traveller should settle there, establish a mer- 
cantile house I but he should above all things avoid appearing 
rich, and must make himself familiar with the customs 
of the country, and be very circumspect in every thing 
connected with religion. 
After remaining at Timbuctoo seventeen or eighteen 
months, and purchasing some Mandingo or Bambara slaves 
speaking the Kissour and Tooarik languages, he might pro- 
cure a middle-sized well built canoe, for the conveyance of 
merchandise and provisions. It would be necessary to 
take a supply of the latter, on account of the uncertainty 
of being able to procure them from the people who dwell 
on the banks of the river. By promising the slaves their 
liberty, they might be easily prevailed upon to undertake 
the voyage, the pretended object of which would be to trade 
in the lower part of the river, and to purchase gum, ivory, &c. 
It would not be necessary to adopt all these precautions for 
the passage of the river above Cabra. 
To lull suspicion, it would be advisable to leave at 
Timbuctoo a certain quantity of merchandise, under the care 
of a confidential slave, who might have orders to dispose 
of it under the direction of a Moorish merchant, during 
his master's absence. 
Being once fairly embarked in the canoe with six slaves, 
good swimmers, it would be preferable to proceed onward 
during the night on account of the wandering tribes of Tooa- 
riks and others. But even if they were met during the day 
time, they might be got rid of with a few presents. This 
course, prudently and cautiously followed, would, I doubt 
not, be attended with complete success, and it appears to me 
preferable to the plan of sending numerous expeditions, 
which would rouse the cupidity and distrust of the natives. 
The rapid passage of the little canoe would render the 
voyage infinitely less fatiguing and dangerous than if per- 
