212 DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
these premises, it was very fairly inferred, that, by 
ascending the Gambia, which, as one of the mouths 
of the Niger, was supposed to lead into the far- 
thest depths of interior Africa, they would arrive 
at length to this great fountain of wealth. The 
very distance and mystery in which the prospect 
was involved, spread, as usual, a captivating splen- 
<s perfectly resolved, you shall understand, that not ten days 
" past, here came a Cahaia of the Andoluzes home from 
" Gago, and another principal Moore, whom the king sent 
" thither at first with Alcaide Hamode, and they brought 
" with them thirty mules laden with gold." On the 30th 
August, the same person writes, " There went with Alcaide 
" Hamode for these parts, seventeen hundred men : who pas- 
<* sing over the sands, for want of water, perished one-third 
<e part of them ; and at their coming to the city of Tombuc- 
44 too, the negroes made some resistance \ but to small pur- 
" pose, for that they had no defence but with their asagaies 
" and javelings poisoned. So they took it, and proceeded 
tc to the city of Gago, where the negroes were in number in- 
" finite, and meant to stand to the uttermost for their coun- 
ts try ; but the Moors slew them so fast, that they were fain 
" to yield, and to pay tribute by theyere. The rent of Tom* 
u buctoo is 60 quintals of gold by the yere ; the goodness 
" whereof you know. The report is, that Mahomet bringeth 
" with him such an infinite treasure, as I never heard of ; it 
" doth appear, that they have more gold than any other part 
" of the world beside. The king of Marocco is like to be the 
" greatest prince in the world for money, if he keepe this 
i( country." — Hackluyt, III. 6, 7* 
