COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GAMBIA AND SENEGAL. 153 
the farthest point to which they can go : I have seen the tree 
to which the Negroes fasten them, for this spot was then dry. 
For two years past these traders have not returned, because 
they have incurred the indignation of the inhabitants by 
carrying away the son of a Marabout of this village for the 
purpose of selling him for a slave. 
It has been long supposed that there is a communication 
between the Gambia and Senegal in the upper part of the 
country ; a communication really exists, but cannot be useful 
to commerce, since no vessel can navigate the water that runs 
from one river to another. It would be a very expensive 
work to construct a canal forming a constant communication 
between the two rivers by means of this lake, which would 
furnish water requisite for the purpose. 
March 15th. I passed the night in the open air, and the 
cold awoke me at an early hour ; I rose before day, and our 
host and an old Iman conducted us beyond the precincts of 
the village. At the moment of parting they all put their 
hands in mine ; the Iman then recited some long prayers, and 
having spit upon our fingers, each rubbed his face with them ; 
but though I had accustomed myself to conform to the manners 
of the country, I was content with slightly passing my hand 
over my face. 
As soon as I had set foot on the territory of Bondou, I 
returned thanks to God for having preserved me from all the 
dangers which had threatened me in Foutatoro. I began to 
X 
