SIGALA. 
297 
a few hillocks and rising grounds^ which have no general 
influence upon the uniformity of the soil^ and crossed a large 
rivulet^ where I saw some bombaces and baobabs, inter- 
mingled with the nede and the ce. The day was stormy ; we 
halted at Kandiba, a neat little hamlet overshadowed by 
nedes. A hut was allotted to me and my guide, and another 
to the rest of my companions ; in our's we had some foigne 
straw, which served us for a bed. All the inhabitants of the 
village and neighbourhood came to see me in the course of 
the evening, and lighted wisps of straw to have a better 
view of me ; they formed a circle round me, were quite de- 
lighted to see me, and paid me many compliments, which 
my modesty will not permit me to repeat ; they appeared 
very gentle and sprightly. The chief sent us a supper. 
On the 21st of July, at nine in the morning, we con- 
tinued our journey, towards the east, for twelve miles, over a 
gravelly soil, in some parts varied by a very productive 
red earth. We crossed a stream on the most incommodious 
bridge I had yet seen, for it was only a tree, the branches of 
which hung over the rivulet ; my companions, who had loads 
on their heads, tottered every instant, but we had the good 
fortune to cross without any mishap. At two in the after- 
noon, we halted at Sigala, a little village where the prince of 
Wassoulo resides ; my guide introduced me to his presence ; 
a man went before to announce us, and we were permitted 
to enter his hut, where we found him lying by the side of 
his dog : the animal, which was of a long-eared species, with 
a sharp nose, and red hair, did not seem pleased with our 
visit, for he growled much when we approached him ; his 
master pacified him, and we took our seat near the prince, on 
his ox-hide. My guide told him that I had been taken 
prisoner by the christians, and that I was returning to my 
native land ; that I had been very well received in all Fouta, 
and that the prince of Kankan recommended me to his care. 
