£36 
DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 
they found their stock of European commodities 
exhausted, and thus could not proceed farther 
with any advantage. The Director did not him- 
self attempt to penetrate higher ; but having es- 
tablished a factory at Ghiorel, immediately sailed 
down to Fort St Louis. 
Although, in the voyage which we have now 
narrated, Brue had not proceeded farther than 
the states of the Siratik, he had always kept in 
view the plan of ascending to Gallam, and of 
ascertaining the highest point to which the Sene- 
gal could be navigated. Particular circumstan- 
ces delayed, during the following year, the exe- 
cution of this project. In 1698 he again set sail^ 
with a large shallop, and sorne canoes, laden with 
merchandize and provisions. Happening to tra- 
vel by land along part of the shore, he had an 
opportunity of observing its aspect. It was found 
intersected by deep valleys, where lions and ele- 
phants assembled in great bodies. The elephants 
were so tame, that they shewed no alarm at the 
sight of men, and, unless when first attacked, 
were perfectly harmless. These low grounds are 
covered with thorns, which rise to a prodigious 
height, and bear flowers of a beautiful yellow. 
Vast numbers of monkeys were also observed. 
The negroes, who, on account of the injury which 
these animals did to the plantations, had never 
viewed them in any light but that of a nuisance* 
