BIG 
APPENDIX* 
all the Captains meet him, he himself gets on horseback, and 
going before them, he passes through the streets and suburbs of 
the city. Then if any be oppressed or grieved with any trouble, 
he presents himself to the king, nor does he depart from his 
presence till his cause be decided. In the afternoons, when 
the heat of the sun permits, he gets again on horseback, and 
goes out guarded on all sides by his soldiers ; Then no admit- 
tance nor access is open to any one* Therefore, by a certain 
and appointed custom, he rides out twice every day. And so 
much is remarkable of his justice. He generally wears a ha- 
bit of satin, or a black mantle, after the Arabian manner, with 
drawers, and leathern sandals on his feet : He always goes on 
horseback. He has abundance of rich ornaments, and horses, 
with most sumptuous trappings, on solemn days, led before 
him. He has many troops who march each with their colours 
under his royal banner ; elephants, camelopards, and various 
kinds of animals, which are found in the negro countries, pre- 
cede him. In fine, these people have in the Nile long boats, 
in which they practise fishing and commerce between one city 
and the other. The apparel of the people of Ghana consists 
of cloths to cover their nakedness, and mantles* The coun- 
try of Ghana is joined on the western side with the kingdom 
of Meczara ; on the east with that of Vancara ; on the north 
with the broadest desert, lying out between the countries of 
the blacks and Barbary ; on the south it joins to the Infidels 
country, to wit, that of Lamlam, and other inhabitants. 
From the city of Ghana to the confines of the country 
of Vancara is a journey of eight days ; and Vancara is 
most famous for the excellency and plenty of gold. It is an 
island of three hundred miles in length, and one hundred and 
fifty in breadth, which the Nile surrounds all the year. But 
the month of August approaching, and the scorching heat in. 
creasing, and the Nile overflowing, that island, or, at least, the ( 
greater part of it, is covered over with water, and remains so as 
