SIDI HAMET. 
519 
fains, along whose steep side the river flowed ; 
they came again to its bank, and found it very 
narrow and full of rocks, " which dashed the 
" water dreadfully." They travelled on twelve 
days south-east, seeing the river nearly every day 
on their right hand, and passing a number of 
smaller streams that emptied themselves into it. 
They came then to a ferry of boats, composed of 
trees dug out hollow, and pushed on with flat 
pieces of wood. Travelling on for fifteen days, 
mostly in sight of the river, they came to the 
walls of the city of Wassanah. The king came 
out to meet and welcome them, and they were 
lodged in a square enclosure, where they remain- 
ed two moons, exchanging their goods for slaves, 
gold, elephants' teeth, &c. 
' The river which passes by Wassanah is called 
Zadi ; it flows nearly south, and is so broad that 
a man can scarcely be seen on the opposite bank. 
On each side is a ridge of mountains, but with 
an interval on both sides betw^een them and the 
river. The city appeared to contain twice as 
many inhabitants as Tombuctoo ; it was surround- 
ed by a very large wall, built of great stones 
loosely piled up ; a whole day was required to 
w^alk round it. The country around is highly 
cultivated. The houses were also built of stones 
without cement, and roofed with reeds and palm 
leaves. The king of Wassanah is called Oleeboo ; 
