discoveries of the French. 165 
time, a more respectable trade had been carried on 
by the two barks which were sent up to the king- 
dom of Gallam. They did not ascend beyond 
Layde, or Lady, a town situated on its frontier. 
Their opportunities of trade had been so abundant, 
that, on reaching that point, they found their stock 
of European commodities exhausted. They could 
not thus proceed farther with any advantage. 
The Director did not himself attempt to penetrate 
higher \ but having established a factory at Ghio- 
rel, immediately sailed down to Fort St Louis. 
Although, in the voyage which we have now nar- 
rated, Brue had not proceeded farther than the states 
of the Siratik, he had always kept in view the plan of 
ascending to Gallam, and of ascertaining the high- 
est point to which the Senegal could be navigated, 
Particular circumstances delayed, during the fol- 
lowing year, the execution of this project. In 
1698, he again set sail, with a large shallop, and 
some canoes, laden with merchandize and provi- 
sions. Happening to travel by land along part of 
the shore, he had an opportunity of observing its 
aspect. It was found intersected by deep valleys, 
where lions and elephants assembled in great bo- 
dies. The elephants were so tame, that they shew- 
ed no alarm at the sight of men, and, unless when 
first attacked, were perfectly harmless. These low 
grounds are covered with thorns, which rise to a 
prodigious height, and bear flowers of a beautiful 
