The fish last mentioned are about the size of sprats,
and are prepared for sale in different ways; the most common is by
pounding them entire as they come from the stream, in a wooden
mortar, and exposing them to dry in the sun, in large lumps like
sugar loaves. It may be supposed that the smell is not very
agreeable; but in the Moorish countries to the north of the Senegal,
where fish is scarcely known, this preparation is esteemed as a
luxury, and sold to considerable advantage. The manner of using it
by the natives is by dissolving a piece of this black loaf in
boiling water, and mixing it with their kouskous.
On returning to the village, after an excursion to the river-side to
inspect the fishery, an old Moorish shereef came to bestow his
blessing upon me, and beg some paper to write saphies upon. This
man had seen Major Houghton in the kingdom of Kaarta, and told me
that he died in the country of the Moors.
About three in the afternoon we continued our course along the bank
of the river to the northward, till eight o'clock, when we reached
Nayemow. Here the hospitable master of the town received us kindly,
and presented us with a bullock. In return I gave him some amber
and beads.
December 21. - In the morning, having agreed for a canoe to carry
over my bundles, I crossed the river, which came up to my knees as I
sat on my horse; but the water is so clear, that from the high bank
the bottom is visible all the way over.
About noon we entered Fatteconda, the capital of Bondou, and in a
little time received an invitation to the house of a respectable
slatee: for as there are no public-houses in Africa, it is
customary for strangers to stand at the bentang, or some other place
of public resort, till they are invited to a lodging by some of the
inhabitants. We accepted the offer; and in an hour afterwards a
person came and told me that he was sent on purpose to conduct me to
the king, who was very desirous of seeing me immediately, if I was
not too much fatigued.
I took my interpreter with me, and followed the messenger till we
got quite out of the town, and crossed some corn-fields; when,
suspecting some trick, I stopped, and asked the guide whither he was
going. Upon which, he pointed to a man sitting under a tree at some
little distance, and told me that the king frequently gave audience
in that retired manner, in order to avoid a crowd of people, and
that nobody but myself and my interpreter must approach him.
