129

CHAP. XVII.--I set forth on my journey to TIMBO, to see
the father of Ahmah-de-Bellah--My caravan and its mode of
travel--My Mussulman passport--Forest roads--Arrive at KYA
among the MANDINGOES--My lodgings--IBRAHIM ALI--Our supper
and "bitters"--A scene of piety, love and liquor--Next morning's
headache--ALI-NINPHA begs leave to halt for a day--I manage our
Fullah guide--My fever--Homoeopathic dose of Islamism from the
Koran--My cure--Afternoon 136

CHAP. XVIII.--A ride on horseback--Its exhilaration in the
forest--Visit to the DEVIL'S FOUNTAIN--Tricks of an echo and
sulphur water--Ibrahim and I discourse learnedly upon the ethics
of fluids--My respect for national peculiarities--Our host's
liberality--Mandingo etiquette at the departure of a guest--A
valuable gift from Ibrahim and its delicate bestowal--My offering
in return--Tobacco and brandy 143

CHAP. XIX.--A night bivouac in the forest--Hammock swung between
trees--A surprise and capture--What we do with the fugitive
slaves--A Mandingo upstart and his "town"--Inhospitality--He
insults my Fullah leader--A quarrel--The Mandingo is seized and
his townsfolk driven out--We tarry for Ali-Ninpha--He returns and
tries his countrymen--Punishment--Mode of inculcating the social
virtues among these interior tribes--We cross the Sanghu on an
impromptu bridge--Game--Forest food--Vegetables--A "Witch's
cauldron" of reptiles for the negroes 147

CHAP. XX.--Spread of Mahometanism in the interior of Africa--The
external aspect of nature in Africa--Prolific land--Indolence
a law of the physical constitution--My caravan's progress--The
ALI-MAMI'S PROTECTION, its value--Forest scenery--Woods,
open plains, barrancas and ravines--Their intense
heat--Prairies--Swordgrass--River scenery, magnificence
of the shores, foliage, flowers, fruits and birds; picturesque
towns, villages and herds--Mountain scenery, view, at _morning_,
over the lowlands--An African noon 153

CHAP. XXI.--We approach TAMISSO--Our halt at a brook--bathing,
beautifying, and adornment of the women--Message and welcome
from MOHAMEDOO, by his son, with a gift of food--Our musical
escort and procession to the city--My horse is led by a buffoon
of the court, who takes care of my face--Curiosity of the