ARRIVAL IN AFRICA. 
459 
the Niger should have an inland termination, his 
return would be extremely difficult, and even 
next to impossible ; the only chance of success 
being by the Gulf of Guinea ; but he appears to 
have laboured under very small apprehensions of 
such a disappointment. He demanded, as re- 
quisite for carrying his views into effect, thirty- 
six Europeans, six of whom should be artificers, 
and the rest soldiers ; asses for conveying the bag- 
gage ; tools for constructing the boats ; and a va- 
riety of articles for trade and presents to the na- 
tives. His views were met by Government with 
the utmost liberality ; the governor of Goree was 
instructed to supply him with the number of sol- 
diers required ; a command of money was given 
to the extent of five thousand pounds, and a 
liberal remuneration was secured, as a just reward 
for the accomplishment of this great undertak- 
ing. 
Mr Park arrived at Goree on the 28th March. 
The selection of the persons who were to accom- 
pany him, and all the various preliminary arrange- 
ments, could not be completed in less than a month, 
and it was the 27th April before he Vv^as able 
to set out from Kayee, a village near Pisania. It 
was then certainly a subject of very serious con- 
sideration, whether he ought not to have delayed 
his journey till the close of the rainy season ; and 
to us, who can coolly consider the question, such 
