172 DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH* 
with the English on the Gambia ; but they now 
eagerly opened a trade with the French, who, by 
eoming to the spot, saved them the labour of car- 
rying them to a distance. Meanwhile, Tonka 
Mouka, who had deeply resented the contempt 
with which the French had treated him, appeared 
in the neighbourhood with a body of troops. The 
inhabitants, however, assured the French, that they 
had nothing to fear, and that they would shed the 
last drop of their blood rather than yield. Tonka 
Mouka, however, succeeded in entering the city ; 
but a thousand of the adverse party having arrived, 
he was obliged to retire with precipitation. The 
ex-king, however, again sent a threatening mes- 
sage, and a demand of his duties ; but receiving 
an answer of defiance, he gave notice, that he would 
rather retire than come to blows with the French ; 
which intention he accordingly executed. The Di- 
rector then went up to the rock or cataract of Felu, 
which, crossing the river in such a manner as not 
to be passed without extreme danger, had hitherto 
formed the limit of French navigation. The hills 
which form it intersect the country in such a man- 
m 
ner as to render it almost impassable. Brue, how- 
ever, left his boats two leagues below, and reached 
the cataracts by land. He intended to have pro- 
ceeded to the falls of Govinea, forty leagues high- 
er, but as the Senegal was rapidly falling, he found 
reason to apprehend, that, by longer delay, it might 
