200 THE RIVER GAMBIA. 
my sufferings, when I distinguished the Gambia before me, 
running from north-east to south-west. The Foulas give 
it in this part the name of Diman, Its banks were not high 
but steep. ^ A verdure truly charming in this burning climate 
covered the plains through which it passed. The width of 
the river in this place equalled that of the Seine at the 
Pont des Arts. Its current, which is extremely limpid, by 
breaking against the rocks, produced a sound similar to the 
sea, when dashing against the shore. It was only knee-deep, 
but the bottom of the river was covered with such sharp flints, 
that I was obliged to walk in my shoes, to keep my feet from 
being cut. The operation of getting my horse and the asses 
across the river, occupied us neatrly an hour. Three persons 
were employed with each ass. This animal, so useful on the 
mountains, gives great trouble in crossing rivers, from its 
timid and stubborn disposition. Impatient of these delays, I 
took mine by the two fore legs, whilst two of my companions 
seized the hinder ones, and we thus carried him to the oppo- 
site shore. 
On entering the territory of Fouta Jallon, we began 
to ascend some high mountains composed of granitoid diabase, 
and ferruginous stones. What gloomy reflections darted 
athwart my mind, when, from the summits of these heights, I 
discovered a considerable extent of country, studded with 
rocky mountains, whose sunmiits were lost in the clouds, and 
separated from one another by frightful precipices ! Desolation 
