IRON FORGES. 
421 
At six o'clock in the morning of the 14th of February, 
we proceeded northward, and journeyed four miles over the 
same kind of soil as on the preceding day. About eight o'clock 
we halted at the village of Bere, the environs of which are 
covered with c^s and nedes. 1 observed a great deal of fer- 
ruginous stone on the surface of the soil. Here are several 
furnaces for smelting iron. We lodged with a smelter, who 
explained to me the process which he employed in his bu- 
siness. The stones containing particles of iron are first 
broken with a large hammer. They are then put into a 
furnace, having a fire both above and below. These fur- 
naces are constructed like those in Fouta-Dhialon, which I 
have already described. The iron, when melted, is run into 
a convenient form, and carried to Jenne to be exchanged 
for salt. The forges are constructed like those of Senegal; 
but the smiths of Bere have not so many tools. Their bel- 
lows are made of two sheep or kid skins ; they have a very 
small anvil and two large hammers. They use charcoal, 
although it is very scarce. The forges are in a long and 
narrow building, rudely constructed, having seven doors 
opening to the west. At Bere I disposed of some glass 
trinkets. The poor Bambaras seemed quite enchanted with 
the beauty of the things which I exhibited; I took care, 
however, to shew them very little. 
At six o'clock in the morning of the 15th of February, 
we set out in the direction of N. N. E. and proceeded five 
miles over a soil similar to that observed on the preceding 
day. About nine o'clock we halted at Nibakhasso, a village 
containing from six to seven hundred inhabitants, and hav- 
ing a well stocked market. The people were celebrating a 
festival, and amusing themselves by singing and dancing. 
The old men were assembled round great calabashes filled 
with beer, drinking, singing, and smoking. Some musicians 
helped to enliven the scene. A very fat dog was killed for 
the occasion, and broiled with the skin on. Although it was 
almost raw, the owner speedily disposed of it : each person 
