INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR. 
25 
nature, and if there be any traces of volcanic matter. As 
it is impossible to foresee the effect that fatigue may produce 
on your health, I leave it to your own inclination, either to 
proceed further, or to return by way of Galam, where 
you will find, next October, supplies of merchandize to 
provide for your necessities. I enjoin you to act with pru- 
dence, and not to risk any thing, unless the chance of success 
appear decidedly favourable. You will determine the princi- 
pal points which you visit with as much accuracy as circum- 
stances permit. For this purpose I suggest to you to keep 
an exact journal of your progress, and the direction you 
pursue, paying attention, to the probable variations of the 
magnetic needle. 
" It is desirable that you should not omit to note the spots 
where you find vegetable earths, their distance from the 
rivers, and their depth." 
Furnished with these judicious instructions, nothing could 
detain me longer at St. Louis. The few persons admitted into 
the secret of my expedition, kept it with such fidelity, that 
even a month after my departure, it was not known what 
route I had taken. 
A Marabout, named Dial Boukari, a native of the Foota 
country, was engaged as my interpreter and travelling com- 
panion, at a salary of one hundred and eighty francs per month. 
This man had been recommended to me for his attachment 
to Europeans, and for his integrity. He spoke the Arabic. 
E 
