56 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
Mandingo language enabled him to understand a negress 
who was speaking of a plot against him. The merchants 
trading on the river, imagining commerce to be his sole 
object, and fearing that he might compete with them, 
had determined upon his death. 
“ In order to avoid the threatened danger, he 
thought it wise to deviate from the usual route, and, 
accordingly, crossed the river with his asses, and reached 
the northern shore in the kingdom of Cantor.” 
THE KING OF WOOLI.T. 
Houghton then crossed the river a second time, and 
entered the kingdom of Woolli. He at once sent a mes¬ 
senger to the king, bearing presents, and asking for 
protection. He was cordially received, and the traveller 
was welcomed to Mendana, the capital, which he de¬ 
scribes as an important town, situated in the midst of a 
fertile country, in which many herds of cattle graze. 
Houghton was justified in anticipating a successful 
issue to his voyage ; everything appeared to presage it, 
when an event occurred which was the first blow to his 
