192 PARTIES IN F O U T A -D H I A L O N. 
and a colat-nut^ a mark of very high respect. The women 
in this country have an unusual share of curiosity. They 
came to see me^ and gave me cassava. Some of them knelt 
down when they presented it to me. 
Popoco is situated in a fertile plain. The soil is a kind 
of black sand. The village is large, containing between one 
hundred and fifty and two hundred slaves, who are employed 
in agriculture. 1 saw cassava, yams, and pistachios, thriving 
well. The inhabitants also grow a considerable quantity of 
rice and millet. At a little distance from the village there 
are some orange-trees. 
I learned here that the Fouta-Dhialon had been divided 
by two parties since the death of the almamy Gadry, whose 
reign had been tranquil. Tierno-Boubacar, and Tierno- 
Yayaye, each claimed the right of succeeding him, and they 
were at war. Yayaye, whose party was at first the stronger, 
withdrew for some time to wage war against the infidels. 
This hazardous expedition proved very unfortunate for him, 
as it afforded his adversary time to ingratiate himself with 
the people. When Yayaye returned from his expedition, in 
which he sustained some loss, circular letters were distributed 
throughout the country, proclaiming the elevation of Bou- 
bacar to the dignity of chief of the state. Yayaye retired, 
but without renouncing his pretensions, and still retaining a 
very formidable party. 
Damasisya is situated to the north. We proceeded four 
miles E. S. E. over a gravelly soil, and at two in the after- 
noon hal^f'd at Dite, where we changed our carriers. I met 
with a very kind reception in this little village, where I 
found a negro who had seen me at Kakondy; he eagerly 
related to the inhabitants the story which I had invented, 
and which produced a good efi*ect, and was of great advantage 
to me. Timbo, the capital of the Fouta, is two days' journey 
S. E. I S. of this village, which is surrounded by a quickset 
hedge. 
