GREAT DISTRESS RELIEF. 137 fication, struck his eye, the delicate conformation of whose roots, leaves, and capsule, could not be contemplated without admiration. He then bethought himself," Can that Being, who planted, watered, and brought to perfection, in this obscure corner of the world, a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and sufferings of creatures formed after his own image?" Inspired by these just and pious reflections, he started up, went on despite of fatigue, and found deliverance to be nearer than he had any reason to anticipate. Having arrived at Sibidooloo, he waited on the mansa, or chief ruler of the town, and related his misfortune; when the latter, taking his pipe from his mouth and tossing up his sleeve, said with an indignant air, "Sit down: you shall have every thing restored to you; I have sworn it." He then ordered several of his people to go by daybreak next morning over the hills, and obtain the assistance of the dooty of Bammakoo in pursuing the robbers. Thus relieved, Mr Park remained two days in this hospitable village, but found it pressed by so severe a famine that he could not think of tasking their kindness any longer, and went on to a town called Wonda. Here the mansa, who was at once chief magistrate and schoolmaster, received him with kindness; but the famine was felt there with equal severity. Remarking five or six women, who came daily to receive an allowance of corn from the dooty, he asked an explanation. "Look at that boy," said the magistrate; "his mother has sold him to me for fifty days' subsistence for herself and family." Our traveller, having during his stay become very unwell, heard the hospitable land lord and his wife lamenting the necessity of supporting him till he should either recover or die. At the end of nine days, messengers arrived from Sibidooloo with Mr Park's horse, harness, clothes, and even the pocket-compass, though broken; all of which had been recovered by the exertions of the mansa. The horse being reduced to a skeleton, and quite unfit for a journey over the flinty roads, was presented to his landlord; the saddle and bridle were sent to his generous friend at Sibidooloo. Then, sick as he was, our traveller took leave, and went through several towns in the mountain-territory of Manding, where he was, on the whole, hospitably treated. His arrival at Kamalia formed a most important era: There he met Karfa Taura, a negro, who was collecting a coffle of slaves for the Gambia. Karfa told him it was impossible at this season to traverse the Jallonka wilderness, in which there were eight rapid rivers to be crossed; but he offered to support him in the interval, and conduct him at the proper season to the Gambia, asking only a reasonable compensation, which was fixed at the value of a prime slave. Mr Park was thus seasonably delivered from all his troubles, and obtained a more certain prospect of reaching home in safety. He no longer encountered those difficulties and vicissitudes which had rendered the former part of his journey so full of interest and adventure. In traversing the high countries of Manding, Konkodoo, and Dindikoo, the chief object which attracted his attention was the mode of extracting gold: This precious metal did not occur in the form of ore, or in large masses, but its grains were mingled with a species of dust or sand. This golden earth appears to JALLONKA WILDERNESS. 139 be chiefly washed down by torrents from the summit of the neighbouring chain of mountains; but it is collected with most advantage after the ground is dry and the harvest removed. Being indicated by its reddish tinge, it is put into large baskets, called calabashes, and agitated with a rotatory motion, so that at every turn a portion of light sand mixed with water flies over the brim. The weightier parts then remaining are mixed with pure water, stirred, and carefully examined; and it is considered satisfactory if three or four grains are found in the whole basket. The dust is preserved in quills, which are often stuck in the hair as ornaments. The most formidable part of the journey homeward was through the Jallonka wilderness,—a vast and very dense forest, in which the caravan travelled during five days without seeing a human habitation. They marched in close and regular order, to protect the party against the attack of wild beasts, whose roarings were heard continually around them, and to which every one who straggled was sure to fall a victim. Such, too probably, was the lot of Nealee, a female slave, who, either from obstinacy or excessive fatigue, refused to proceed any farther; and after vain attempts to compel her by the whip, she was abandoned to her fate. On emerging from this forest, they had no difficulty in passing through the fine open country of Dentila and the smaller wilderness of Tenda. Mr Park was now again on the Gambia; and, on the 10th June 1797, reached Pisania, where he was received as one risen from the dead; for all the traders from the interior had believed and reported, that, like Major Houghton, he was murdered by the Moors of Ludamar. Kar fa, his benefactor, received double the stipulated price, and was overpowered with gratitude; but when he saw the commodious furniture, the skilful manufactures, the superiority in all the arts of life, displayed by the Europeans, compared with the attainments of his countrymen, he was deeply mortified, and exclaimed, "Black men are nothing!" expressing his surprise that Park could find any motive for coming to so miserable a land as Africa. Mr Park had some difficulty in reaching home: He was obliged to embark, on the 15th June, in a vessel bound to America, and was afterwards driven by stress of weather into the Island of Antigua, whence he sailed on the 24th November, and on the 22d December landed at Falmouth. He arrived in London before dawn on the morning of Christmasday, and in the garden of the British Museum accidentally met his brother-in-law Mr Dickson. Two years having elapsed since any tidings of him reached England, he had been given up for lost; so that his friends and the public were equally astonished and delighted by his reappearance. The report of his unexpected return, after making such splendid discoveries, kindled throughout the nation a higher enthusiasm than had perhaps been excited by the result of any former mission of the same nature. To satisfy the public impatience, an outline was drawn up by Mr Bryan Edwards, accompanied with learned geographical illustrations by Major Rennel. The entire narrative was published early in 1799, and besides the interest inseparable from the remarkable events described, the merit of being written in a pleasing and animated style has rendered it one of the most popular books in the English language. PARK'S SECOND JOURNEY. 141 CHAPTER IX. Park's Second Journey. Views under which he was sent out-Departure-Overtaken by the rainy Season-Great Sickness and Distress-Embarks on the Niger Negotiations with the King of Bambarra-Obtains Permission to build a Vessel-Sansanding-Sets sail-Accounts of his Death. THE discoveries of Park in his first journey, though the most splendid made by any modern traveller, rather excited than satisfied the national curiosity. The Niger had been seen flowing eastward into the interior of Africa; and hence a still deeper interest and mystery were suspended over the future course and termination of this great central stream. Kingdoms had been discovered, more flourishing and more populous than any formerly known in that continent; but other kingdoms, still greater and wealthier, were reported to exist in regions which he had vainly attempted to reach. The lustre of his achievements had diffused among the public in general an ardour for discovery, which was formerly confined to a few enlightened individuals. It was evident, however, that the efforts of no private association could penetrate the depths of this vast continent, and overcome the obstacle presented by its distance, its deserts, and its barbarism. Hence, George III., the patron and employer of Cook, was |