PIS^NIA MEDINA. 34>7 
turning to Kassan, his native country. One of 
his servants, named Johnson, who had been in 
England, and spoke the EngHsh and Mandingo 
languages, was hired at the rate of fifteen bars 
a-month, five of which were to be paid to his wife 
during his absence, and the remainder to himself. 
The other was a boy named Demba, the slave of 
Dr Laidley, who, on the condition of fidelity, had 
promised to emancipate him at his return. His 
baggage consisted chiefly of a pocket sextant, a 
magnetic compass, a thermometer, an umbrella, 
two fowling-pieces, two pair of pistols, and a few 
changes of linen and clothes. In the day they 
continued their journey, and in the evening were 
entertained by ludicrous tales, resembling those 
of the Arabians, which the Mandingoes related. 
On December 5, they arrived at Medina, the 
capital of WooUi, containing about 1000 houses, 
surrounded with a high wall of clay, and an exte- 
rior fence of pointed stakes and prickly bushes. 
Here Mr Park was introduced to the venerable 
chief who had received Major Houghton with so 
great hospitality. He found him seated upon a 
mat at the door of his hut ; and, upon desiring 
leave to pass through his territories, was answer- 
ed, that he should be furnished with a guide next 
day, and assured that the king himself would pray 
for his safety, but entreated him to desist from a 
journey of such imminent danger, which had al- 
