the hills, filling the air with confused cries, one great voice would exalt itself, and the rest were all hushed.” They mounted the trees to look at the English, the sight of whom seemed to inspire dissatisfaction; they grinned, shook the boughs violently, uttered angry cries, and when any advances were made towards acquaintance, ran off at full speed. The crew shot one; but before they could reach the spot, the rest had carried it away. On tracing these creatures to their haunts in the depths of the forest, recesses were found, where the foliage had been so intertwined above, and the ground beaten so smooth beneath, as made it difficult to believe that these "bowers for dancing and disport" had not been framed by human hands.

Amid these difficulties and adventures the party arrived at Tenda, on the 26th January 1621, where they expected to meet with Buckar Sano, the chief merchant on the Gambia. This personage accordingly waited on them; but, being treated with brandy, used it so immoderately that he lay all night dead drunk in the boat. However, he seems on this occasion to have been merely off his guard, as he ever after acted a very intelligent and prudent part. He not only traded himself, but was employed as an agent in managing the transactions of others. His good faith, however, seems to have been rendered somewhat doubtful by the accounts which he gave to Jobson of a city four months' journey in the interior, the roofs of which were covered with gold.

The report of a vessel come up to trade caused a great resort from the neighbouring districts; and the natives, rearing temporary hovels, soon formed a little village on each side of the river. Speedily there appeared five hundred of a ruder race, covered with skins of wild animals, “the tails hanging as from the beasts." The women, who had never before seen a white man, ran away; but the sight of a few beads soon allured them to return. Unluckily the universal cry was for salt,a commodity deficient and much desired through all Central Africa; but Jobson, unapprized of this, had not

laid in a sufficient stock. Every thing else was lightly prized in comparison; and many who were on their way to swell the market, learning this omission, instantly turned back. He obtained in exchange gold and ivory, and could have got hides in abundance, had they not been too bulky a commodity to bear the expense of

conveyance.

Buckar Sano undertook to introduce the English at the court of Tenda. On reaching the king's presence, they witnessed an example of the debasing homage usually paid to negro princes, and of which Clapperton, in Eyeo, afterwards saw several striking instances. The great and wealthy merchant, on appearing before his majesty, first fell on his knees, then, throwing off his shirt, extended himself naked and flat on the ground, while his attendants almost buried him beneath dust and mud. After grovelling for some time in this position, he started up, shook off the earth, which two of his wives assisted in clearing from his person, and was then speedily equipped in his best attire, with bow and quiver. He and his attendants, after having made a semblance of shooting at Jobson, laid their bows at his feet, which was understood as a token of submission: the king even assured the English captain, that the country and every thing in it were thus placed at his disposal. In return for gifts so magnificent, it was impossible to refuse a few bottles of excellent brandy; the value of which, however, Jobson never expected to realize from these regal donations.

The commander of the Sion soon found himself in the middle of the dry season, and the river sinking lower and lower; yet he still made a hard struggle to ascend, animated by the deceitful or inflated reports of Buckar Sano concerning the city of gold. At the distance of a few days' journey he heard of Tombaconda, which he conjectured to be Timbuctoo. The conclusion was most erroneous, this city being distant nearly a thousand miles; but Europeans had formed as yet no adequate idea of the dimensions of Africa. At length the stream became so

shallow that he found it utterly vain to attempt ascending higher. He began his voyage downward on the 10th February, proposing to return during the season when the periodical rains filled the channel. This purpose was never executed. Both he and the company became involved in quarrels with the merchants, against whom he bitterly inveighs, as persons who entirely disregarded every object beyond their own immediate profit.

Jobson, earlier perhaps than any other Englishman, had an opportunity of observing the manners and superstitions peculiar to native Africa. He found each chief attended by a number of musical performers, whom he dignifies with the title of "juddies or fiddlers,” and compares to the Irish rhymsters. These are called, as we learn from other authors, Jelle, or Jillemen, and perform on several instruments rudely constructed of wood, making a very loud noise. These minstrels, with the Greegree men, or magicians, most fantastically attired, often form singular groups, as exhibited in the accompanying plate. The two chief occasions were those of circumcision, and funeral. The former, performed in a very rough manner, attracted the whole country; the forest blazed with fires, while loud music, shouts, and dancing, resounded throughout the night. At the interment of chiefs there were much crying and lamentation, conducted in a somewhat mechanical manner, resembling the Irish howl. Flowers of the sweetest scent were buried along with the deceased, and much gold was deposited for his service in the other world; but there is no mention of those human sacrifices, which form so foul a blot on some of the most civilized African nations. At all festivals a conspicuous part was acted by a personage called Horey, which name our author interprets, "the Devil." This being took his station in the adjoining woods, whence he sent forth tremendous sounds, supposed to be of sinister portent to all within hearing. The only remedy was to deposite, as near to the spot as any one could venture, a large supply of provisions; the speedy disappearance of which authenticated to the villagers