LEO G UAL ATA. 
47 
Mahomet, and were superior to all other negroes 
in wit, civility, and industry. To the north of 
Ghinea was Gualata, probably Walet, which is 
represented to have been at one time the centre 
of the Mahometan power in Africa, and the chief 
resort of the Barbary merchants. But after the 
foundation of Tombuctoo, the happier situation 
of that city enabled it to carry off all this trade, 
and Gualata ended, like all the neighbouring 
kingdoms, in becoming tributary to Izchia. 
