Travels in the Interior of Africa, vol 1 | Page 9

tobacco, for instance, were considered as a bar of tobacco; and a gallon
of spirits (or rather half spirits and half water) as a bar of rum, a bar of
one commodity being reckoned equal in value to a bar of another
commodity.
As, however, it must unavoidably happen that, according to the plenty
or scarcity of goods at market in proportion to the demand, the relative
value would be subject to continual fluctuation, greater precision has
been found necessary; and at this time the current value of a single bar
of any kind is fixed by the whites at two shillings sterling. Thus, a slave
whose price is 15 pounds, is said to be worth 150 bars.
In transactions of this nature it is obvious that the white trader has
infinitely the advantage over the African, whom, therefore, it is difficult
to satisfy, for conscious of his own ignorance, he naturally becomes
exceedingly suspicious and wavering; and, indeed, so very unsettled
and jealous are the negroes in their dealings with the whites, that a
bargain is never considered by the European as concluded until the
purchase money is paid and the party has taken leave.
Having now brought together such general observations on the country
and its inhabitants as occurred to me during my residence in the
vicinity of the Gambia, I shall detain the reader no longer with
introductory matter, but proceed, in the next chapter, to a regular detail
of the incidents which happened, and the reflections which arose in my
mind, in the course of my painful and perilous journey, from its

commencement until my return to the Gambia.

CHAPTER III
--THE KINGDOM OF WOOLLI--JOURNEY TO BONDOU

On the 2nd of December, 1795, I took my departure from the
hospitable mansion of Dr. Laidley. I was fortunately provided with a
negro servant who spoke both the English and Mandingo tongues. His
name was Johnson. He was a native of this part of Africa, and having in
his youth been conveyed to Jamaica as a slave, he had been made free,
and taken to England by his master, where he had resided many years,
and at length found his way back to his native country. As he was
known to Dr. Laidley, the Doctor recommended him to me, and I hired
him as my interpreter, at the rate of ten bars monthly to be paid to
himself, and five bars a month to be paid to his wife during his absence.
Dr. Laidley furthermore provided me with a negro boy of his own,
named Demba, a sprightly youth, who, besides Mandingo, spoke the
language of the Serawoollies, an inland people (of whom mention will
hereafter be made) residing on the banks of the Senegal; and to induce
him to behave well, the Doctor promised him his freedom on his return,
in case I should report favourably of his fidelity and services. I was
furnished with a horse for myself (a small but very hardy and spirited
beast, which cost me to the value of 7 pounds 10s), and two asses for
my interpreter and servant. My baggage was light, consisting chiefly of
provisions for two days; a small assortment of beads, amber, and
tobacco, for the purchase of a fresh supply as I proceeded; a few
changes of linen, and other necessary apparel; an umbrella, a pocket
sextant, a magnetic compass, and a thermometer; together with two
fowling- pieces, two pair of pistols, and some other small articles.
A free man (a bashreen, or Mohammedan) named Madiboo, who was
travelling to the kingdom of Bambara, and two slatees, or slave
merchants, of the Serawoolli nation, and of the same sect, who were
going to Bondou, offered their services, as far as they intended
respectively to proceed, as did likewise a negro named Tami (also a
Mohammedan), a native of Kasson, who had been employed some
years by Dr. Laidley as a blacksmith, and was returning to his native

country with the savings of his labours. All these men travelled on foot,
driving their asses before them.
Thus I had no less than six attendants, all of whom had been taught to
regard me with great respect, and to consider that their safe return
hereafter to the countries on the Gambia would depend on my
preservation.
Dr. Laidley himself, and Messrs. Ainsley, with a number of their
domestics, kindly determined to accompany me the first two days; and
I believe they secretly thought they should never see me afterwards.
We reached Jindey the same day, having crossed the Walli creek, a
branch of the Gambia, and rested at the house of a black woman, who
had formerly been the paramour of a white trader named Hewett, and
who, in consequence thereof, was called, by way of distinction, seniora.