228 MOUNTAINS OF NICKOLO AND BANDEIA, 
these mountains. The most elevated enjoy a cooler tempera- 
ture than those which are lower and surrounded by others that 
are more lofty. As the air cannot circulate freely there, the 
heat is suffocating-. Their declivities are so steep that beasts 
of burthen cannot reach their summits, and men are obliged 
to carry their loads. For this reason, Almamy, sensible how 
prejudicial these difficulties are to the commercial intercourse 
between his dominions and the neighbouring- countries, has 
offered a considerable reward to any one who shall bring a 
camel into his dominions. These mountains increase in 
elevation the farther eastward they run. Their branches 
extend in all directions, and contain the sources of an infinite 
number of streams, the coolness of which alone produces some 
verdure upon their banks amidst this desolate region. 
The fanaticism of the followers of Mahomet, has obliged the 
people whom they persecuted to seek an asylum here : the 
fugitives who have settled in this country have not fixed their 
abodes in the caverns of rocks, as has been supposed ; their 
huts have the form of tents, like those which the Poulas 
have built in every place where they have fixed themselves. 
The Djalonkés, who have not yet openly renounced fetishism, 
have retired thither, and preserved the liberty of thinking 
differently from their masters. Mingled with the Poulas, they 
have produced a race of mis-shapen mulattoes, if we compare 
them with those of Foutatoro ; little better than savages, the 
presence of the Mahometans alone keeps them in subjection 
