288 
THE RIO GRANDE — THE SERRACOLETS. 
The current was so rapid, that Boiikari supported me on one 
side, whilst Saadou, to whom I was fastened by a cord, dragged 
me to the opposite bank. The river of Bentala, which comes 
from the north, discharges itself into the Comba, (or Rio- 
Grande) as well as the Tomine, (the Dunzo) which comes 
from the south. After receiving the tribute of these two 
rivers, the Comba assumes the name of Kabou, as far as its 
efflux into the ocean, opposite to the Bisagos. Cambréa and 
Bentala are the marts for the European merchandize which 
the Serracolets, a commercial nation, purchase among the 
Portuguese and carry into the east, where they exchange it 
for gold and slaves. 
The Serracolets are natives of the country of Galam or 
Kajaaga, of which they always speak in the highest terms ; 
they are, perhaps, the most intelligent and skilful of all the 
Negroes in commercial affairs ; their passion for traffic is such, 
that their neighbours say by way of derision, that a Serra- 
colet would I'ather buy an ass to transport his merchandize, 
than have a wife, whose expences would diminish his income. 
All European travellers agree in describing them as 
extremely hospitable ; when a stranger enters the house of a 
Serracolet, he goes out, and says, " white man, my house, 
my wife, my children belong to thee." In fact, I am assured 
that, from this moment, the guest enjoys all the prerogatives of 
the master. When a vessel anchors before one of their 
villages, which are very numerous on the banks of the Senegal, 
