174^ DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
meat and poultry, on very moderate terms. A 
traffic in their respective commodities immediate- 
ly began. Salt proved here, as elsewhere, to be 
the only European article that was in considera- 
ble demand ; while, among their own, the highest 
value was placed upon slaves. The grand object 
of Jobson's search and inquiry was gold ; yet he 
affected to shew indifference upon the subject, 
and at first did not even name it. A small quan- 
tity, however, being produced, some peculiar 
emotion was doubtless visible ; for the African 
immediately began to give pompous descriptions 
of the abundance in which it was produced, and 
of the countries from which it was conveyed. 
He assured Jobson, that he himself had been in a 
city, the roofs of which were covered with gold. 
The captain eagerly inquiring the position of this 
African Eldorado, was informed, that it was si- 
tuated far to the south, at the distance of four 
moons (months' journey). The reported length 
of the journey at first startled Jobson ; but, on 
considering the slow rate of travelling in this part 
of Africa, he began to calculate, that the golden 
city might be placed at no inaccessible distance. 
Meantime, the report of the arrival of white 
men with European commodities, was spread 
throughout the country; and vast multitudes 
flocked from every quarter, impelled partly by 
curiosity, and partly by the desire of trading. 
