38*2 MARKET OF TANGRERA. 
parents. I added that the delay which [ had experienced in 
prosecuting my journey was a great disappointment to me^ 
and that I v/ished to avoid travelUng during the ensuing rains. 
He asked me why 1 did not go to Sansanding. I observed 
that that would take me considerably out of my road, and might 
prevent me from reaching Jenne, whither I wished to go. He 
confirmed the report I had heard of the war between Sego 
and Jenne ; but/' added he, " you might by the road I have 
mentioned proceed to El-Arawan and thence to Mecca." 
He likewise told me that all the caravans destined for Jenne 
had set out, and that I was likely to remain at Tangrera a 
considerable time before I might find a favourable opportunity 
to depart. He then left me, and in a few moments returned, 
bringing a large piece of salt and eighty cowries, which he 
begged me to accept, observing that I should find salt very dear 
on the road. The Mandingoes, by signs, expressed their 
approbation of this generous conduct. This little present was 
very agreeable to me, for it served to assure me that, even if 
my resources were exhausted, I should find charitable persons 
inclined to assist me. My host took me to the market, 
where 1 saw a great concourse of people. The market was 
well supplied with all the necessaries of life, such as rice, yams, 
foigne, butter, animal and vegetable, salt, snuff, cloths, colats, 
dried fish, calabashes, butcher's meat, poultry, and also 
bullocks and sheep. I observed too, some European articles, 
glass-beads, gunpowder, flints, &c. I saw many women in the 
market, with flat earthen plates, in which they sold cakes 
fried in vegetable butter. These cakes are called maumies. 
They are sold for cowries, the only current money of the 
country. Cowry is called kaulo in the language of the 
natives. I observed in the neighbourhood of the market-place 
several poor creatures, sitting at the corners of streets, asking 
charity. I had not seen such a thing as a regular beggar 
since my departure from the coast. We sat down for a few 
moments in the shop of a tobacco-dealer, where a great 
