4/2 CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING 
company with a caravan of Mandingo merchants going to 
the Niger. Thanks to, the Arab costume and to the reli- . 
gion of the country which I outwardly embraced, the 
numerous difficulties attendant on this laborious journey 
were overcome ; and to this disguise I owe the success 
of my expedition. I crossed without obstacle the high 
mountains of the Senegambia, the countries of Baleya, 
KankaUj and Ouassoulo. I was compelled to reside five 
months at Time, a village of Mahometan M andingoes, 
situated in the southern part of Bambara, being detained 
by a severe illness which had nearly proved fatal. On the 
9th of January, 1828, I was able to proceed on my 
journey. I visited the island and town of Jenne; and 
afterwards embarked upon the Niger, on board a vessel of 
sixty tons burden going to Timbuctoo, where I arrived 
after a month's tedious navigation. This town is situated 
five miles to the north of Cabra, in a plain of quicksand, 
where nothing grows but stunted shrubs : I resided there 
fourteen days. I inspected the town and took a sketch of it ; 
I studied the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and 
the commerce and resources of the country ; then taking 
a northern direction to cross the great desert, I arrived at 
el-Araouan. This town is six days' journey north of Tim- 
buctoo ; it is the emporium of salt which is exported 
thence to Sansanding and Yamina, and is situated in a 
country still more sterile than even that about Timbuctoo. 
Not a shrub is to be seen ; and camel dung is used for 
fuel. The burning east wind which constantly prevails 
renders this a very disagreeable abode. I continued my 
route northwards, and reached the Wells of Telig, after 
