DESERT OF FOUTA JALLON. 
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greater part were filled with water, and only to be crossed 
by fording-. Their banks, composed of ferruginous rocks, 
were so steep, that they formed precipices, which we had 
great labour in making our asses descend. Mine slipped, and 
fell into a stream, which was very rapid ; all my powder was 
wetted. It would perhaps, have been impossible to have 
extricated the animal, if my fellow travellers, who came to 
my assistance, had not carried him to the opposite bank. On 
quitting this place, we for the first time entered a wood of bam- 
boos, which exceeded in height the tallest trees. 
We at length perceived the mountains of Badon elevating 
their summits to the clouds, and situated about two days 
journey to the south-east. We were so exhausted by fatigue, 
heat, and the want of provisions since the preceding evening, 
that notwithstanding the exhortations of an old Marabout, 
who was extremely fearful lest we should be attacked by the 
Mandingo robbers, we rested near two springs, situated in 
the hollows of enormous ferruginous rocks. Our beds were 
made of dry bamboo leaves, which also served as food for our 
beasts, which till now had found nothing to eat. 
March 27- My horse was so exhausted, that he was unable 
to carry me ; I therefore drove him before me. Our fatigues 
were almost incredible, on account of the steepness and rug- 
gedness of the mountains, which we had to climb. We 
advanced with great difficulty among the rocks by which 
they were interspersed ; but amply was I indemnified for all 
