266 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
cotton and indigo, or that the manufacturers are 
more expert, I cannot say ; but certain it is, that 
they can dye a much finer blue than I have be- 
fore seen in Africa. The process is precisely 
the same as that mentioned by Mr. Park to be 
followed by the inhabitants of lindey near the 
Gambia. 
Their dress and manner of living is also nearly 
the same as those of the people of Bondoo. The 
former is made rather larger in the same shape, 
and the latter is more frequently seasoned with 
fish, in which the river abounds. They are pro- 
verbially fond of animal food, which, although 
arrived at a higher degree of keeping than 
would please the palates of our most decided 
epicures, would not be rejected by them. I have 
seen a dead hippopotamus floating down the 
river, and poisoning the air with its putrid va- 
pours, drawn to shore by them, and such was 
their love of meat, that they nearly came to 
blows about its division. 
From a state of Paganism these people are 
progressively embracing the Mahometan faith 5 
but many still despise its tenets, disregard its 
ceremonies, and indulge freely in the use of 
strong liquors. Some towns are wholly in- 
habited by priests, who are by far the most 
wealthy and respectable members of the com- 
