TRAVELS INTO BAMBOUK. 
lbs. of gum, besides slaves, ivory, ostrich feathers, 
gold, and ambergrise. 
From the first establishment of the French upon 
the Senegal, Bambouk had been the object of 
their eager attention and inquiry. It was univer- 
sally understood that gold, the most brilliant and 
valuable commodity which Africa afforded, was 
chiefly drawn from that country. Yet there were 
numerous obstacles, not only against entering, 
but even against gaining any distinct information 
respecting it. The Man dingo, and other negro 
merchants, through whose agency the traffic was 
at present conducted, dreaded being cut off from 
it, if Europeans should succeed in opening a di- 
rect communication. The natives also, conscious 
that the possession of this coveted metal rendered 
them the envy of the neighbouring states, viewed 
with jealousy the entrance of foreigners into their 
territories, and admitted only a certain class of 
merchants who were known to them, and with 
whose services they could not dispense. Brue 
was always sensible, that no success could be hop- 
ed in this undertaking, unless an establishment 
were previously formed in Gallam ; and with that 
view he had made the voyage, the particulars of 
which we have already narrated. Having fixed 
on the situation above noticed, near Dramanet, 
he strongly urged the company at home to build 
14 
