180 
FOULAH HERDSMEN. 
vate, suffices for their support. I did not see a wild beast 
among these mountains. The country, which seems to be 
favoured by nature, is inhabited by numerous birds, whose 
plumage exhibits an endless variety of colours. I saw many 
of the same species as those found on the banks of the Sene- 
gal. We resumed our journey, and passed the huts of some 
Foulahs, who brought us milk. I bought some for a few 
glass beads. They looked at me with manifestations of 
earnest curiosity, and they said they had never seen a Moor 
so white as I was. On leaving them we found ourselves in 
a valley formed of two hills of granite. The soil, which con- 
sists of grey sand, is fertile and covered with good pasturage. 
We were obliged once more to cross the Doulinca, and, 
about one in the afternoon, we halted among some Foulah 
herdsmen. Their huts were built beneath the shade of large 
trees, a most enviable situation in this part of the world. 
Since my departure from Kakondy, I had not seen so beauti- 
ful and fertile a tract of country. Instead of rocks, I now 
beheld on every side delightful plains, which required only 
the labour of the husbandman to produce every thing necessary 
for human life. The day had been excessively hot, and about 
two in the afternoon we heard thunder in the direction of 
N. E. The sky was overcast with black clouds, and the rain 
fell abundantly. We repaired for shelter to the huts of the 
herdsmen, who at first scrupled to admit us. The thunder 
rolled in terrific peals ; and 1 expected every moment that 
we should be struck by the lightning. The flashes rapidly 
succeeded each other, and the sky appeared to be one sheet 
of flame. We lay down on the herdsmen's beds, consisting 
of round pieces of wood placed upon posts which raised them 
a little from the ground, and we patiently awaited the termi- 
nation of the storm. When the rain ceased, we left the huts, 
and the freshness which now pervaded the atmosphere added 
new charms to the surrounding scene. We ate a little rice, 
and then proceeded eastward. We crossed a little rivulet 
