300 
RILEY*S NARRATIVE* 
" dashed the water dreadfully." They travelled 
on twelve days south-east, seeing the river nearly 
every day on their right hand, and passing a num- 
ber of smaller streams that emptied themselves into 
it. They came then to a ferry of boats, composed 
of trees dug out hollow, and pushed on with flat 
pieces of wood. Travelling on for fifteen days, 
mostly in sight of the river, they came to the walls 
of the city of Wassanah. The king came out to 
meet and welcome them, and they were lodged in 
a square enclosure, where they remained two moons, 
exchanging their goods for slaves, gold, elephants' 
teeth, &c. 
The river which passes by Wassanah is called 
Zadi ; it flows nearly south, and is so broad that a 
man can scarcely be seen on the opposite bank. 
On each side is a ridge of mountains, but with an 
interval on both sides between them and the river. 
The city appeared to contain twice as many inha- 
bitants as Tombuctoo ; it was surrounded by a very 
large wall, built of great stones loosely piled up ; 
a whole day was required to walk round it. The 
country around is highly cultivated. The houses 
were also built of stones without cement, and roof- 
ed with reeds and palm leaves. The king of Was- 
sanah is called Oleeboo ; he is tall and quite 
young ; his palace is very large, square, and high, 
built of stone with a species of cement. He was 
said to have a hundred and fifty wives, and ten 
