DESCRIPTION OF TENDA. 307 
sembling- Niokolo, but less elevated ; it forms the first terrace 
by which we descend from the high plain of Fouta Diallon, 
towards the regions watered by the Rio Grande. Tenda is 
extremely poor ; I saw in it but three villages, which were 
almost deserted. The origin of its inhabitants is very obscure; 
they have no other affinity with the Mandingos than that of 
filing* the incisive teeth of the upper jaw to a point, and 
being passionately fond of music ; they are Pagans. 
As soon as Saadou had finished his prayer, he informed 
me that he must quit me, adding that he had engaged the 
chief of the village to furnish me with two guides, to conduct 
me as far as the frontier. Next morning at day-break we 
entered the deserts which lie between the village I had quitted 
and the Rio Grande. The time occupied by my guides in 
the pursuit of wild asses,-!- or deer, w4iich are in very consi- 
derable numbers, prevented us from reaching the woods 
bordering the river, before six o'clock in the evening. We 
lost our way, the traces of which had been effaced by the rains, 
and the day had nearly closed when we arrived on the bauks 
of the river. Here we got into a canoe which is employed in 
the conveyance of strangers to the other side. My passage 
* The Negroes purchase their files at the European factories. 
t As these animals have not crossed the almost inaccessible mountains 
which separate Tenda from Fouta Diallon, it is not astonishing that the 
Poulas who live in the interior, were terrified at the sight of my ass. 
R R 2 
