PARTICULARS RESPECTING BONDOU. 187 
contributed too much to my preservation by entire devotion 
and invariable kindness, for me to remember this momentary 
misbehaviour, or to cease to regard him as a sincere friend, 
to whom I am indebted for my life. Some calebashes of milk 
restored peace and harmony ; and the hope of our speedy 
departure made us forget our differences. 
The kingdom of Bondou is of an elongated form, re- 
sembling that of a bow ; we had traversed in our route the 
cord of this bow. This kingdom is, properly speaking, but 
one vast forest ; here and there we meet with spots that have 
been cleared, in which are seen small villages, either 
wretchedly built, or nearly deserted. The greater part of 
the soil is covered with ferruginous stones, and the country in 
general is mountainous. Water is scarce, and is found only 
at a great depth, nevertheless springs are common enough, and 
the ground is covered with verdure in the parts bordering on 
Fouta Jallon. Those lands which are not covered with fer- 
ruginous stones, are generally fertile ; but the excessive 
drought will not admit of cultivation, except during the 
rainy season. Cotton, maize, indigo, millet, called nieniko, 
the straw of which serves to dye leather red, some calebash 
trees, and water-melons grow in most of the fields. The 
scorching rays of the sun strip the greater number of trees of 
their foliage during the hot season ; that called huni is the only 
exception. 
The western part of Bondou contains iron mines, the 
B B 2 
