^^S DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
with innumerable herds ; but, during the rainy 
season, the Senegal inundates this district, and 
the inhabitants are obhged to withdraw for safety 
into the most elevated spots. Thence the expe- 
dition proceeded to Hovalada, a considerable vil- 
lage, still on the same bank of the Senegal. Here 
Brue began to traffick for cattle, of which the 
neighbouring meadows afforded an abundant sup- 
ply. The most convenient medium of exchange 
was brandy, for one pint of which a fat ox was 
considered as only a fair equivalent. Brue de- 
cidedly recommends brandy as at all times the 
most acceptable and profitable merchandize which 
can be carried into Africa. He observes, how- 
ever, that no bottle ought ever to be presented 
to an African, which is not completely full. The 
negroes, probably from dread of imposition, view 
with peculiar jealousy and disdain, every vessel 
from which any portion of this precious liquid 
has been subtracted. He asserts, that they pre- 
fer a small vessel, full, to a barrel, of which even 
an inch of the depth should remain vacant. 
At the termination of the isle of Morfil, is the 
isle of Bilbas, formed in the same manner, and of 
a character entirely similar. Brue now received 
a message from the Siratik, expressing desire, and 
even impatience, to see him. For these senti- 
ments the Director gave him full credit, having 
announced his intention of paying up all the dues 
