Great African Travellers | Page 5

reserved in their
behaviour than the Mandingoes.
Leaving Bondou, the caravan entered the kingdom of Kajaaga. The
inhabitants, whose complexion is jet-black, are called Serrawoollies.
The dooty, or chief man of Joag, the frontier town, though a rigid
Mahommedan, treated Park very civilly; but while he was staying there
a party of horseman, sent by the king, arrived to conduct him to Maana,
his residence. When there, the king demanded enormous duties, and
Park had to pay him the five drachms of gold which he had received
from the King of Bondou, besides which his baggage was opened and
everything of value taken. His companions now begged him to turn
back, and Johnson declared it would be impossible to proceed without
money. He had fortunately concealed some of his property; but they
were afraid of purchasing provisions, lest the king should rob him of
his few remaining effects. They therefore resolved to combat hunger
during the day and wait for another opportunity of obtaining food.
While seated on the ground, with his servant-boy by his side, a poor
woman came up with a basket on her head, and asked Park if he had
had his dinner. The boy replied that the king's people had robbed him
of all his money. On hearing this the good old woman, with a look of
unaffected benevolence, took the basket from her head, and presented

him with a few handfuls of ground nuts, walking away before he had
time to thank her.
Leaving Joag in company with thirty persons and six loaded asses, he
rode on cheerfully for some hours till the caravan reached a species of
tree for which Johnson had frequently inquired. On seeing it he
produced a white chicken which he had purchased at Joag, tied it by a
leg to one of the branches, and then told his companions that they
might safely proceed, as the journey would be prosperous.
This incident shows the power of superstition over the minds of
negroes; for though this man had resided seven years in England, it was
evident that he still retained the superstitions imbibed in his youth.
Koomakary was the birthplace of one of Park's companions from
Pisania, a blacksmith, who had been attentive to him on the road. On
approaching the place shouts were raised and muskets were fired. The
meeting between the long-absent blacksmith and his relations was very
tender. The younger ones having embraced him, his aged mother was
led forth, leaning upon a staff. Every one made way for her as she
stretched out her hands to bid her son welcome. Being totally blind, she
stroked his arms, hands and face with great care, and seemed highly
delighted that her ears once more could hear the music of his voice. "It
was evident," observes Park, "that, whatever may be the difference
between the negro and European, there is none in the genuine
sympathies and characteristic feelings of our common nature."
The king, Dembo Sego, gave the traveller an audience, and appeared
well-disposed towards him. An escort was also sent to conduct him to
the frontiers of Kaarta.
The capital of that province was reached on the 12th of February, and
as soon as he arrived a messenger came from the king, bidding him
welcome, and a large hut was at once provided for his accommodation.
The people, however crowded in till it was completely full; when the
first visitors went, another took their place--in this way the hut being
filled and emptied thirteen different times.

Park found the king, whose name was Daisy, surrounded by a number
of attendants, the fighting men on his right-hand and the women and
children on his left. A bank of earth, on which was spread a
leopard-skin, formed the throne. Daisy seemed perfectly satisfied with
the account the traveller gave of himself, but warned him of the dangers
in his way on account of the war which was then raging, and advised
him to return to Kason, there to remain till it was over. Wise as this
advice was, the approaching hot months made it important for him to
proceed, dreading as he did having to spend the rainy season in the
interior of Africa.
Daisy presented him with food, and sent a party of horse men to
conduct him to Jarra, while three of his sons, with about two hundred
horsemen, undertook to accompany him part of the way.
He had evidence of the disturbed state of the country while staying at
the next town he entered. A body of Moors approached the gates and
carried off the cattle, and one of the horsemen was shot by a Moor. The
wounded man was brought in, when, as he was borne along, his mother
went before, clapping her hands and enumerating the good qualities