Travels in the Interior of Africa, vol 2 | Page 7

Jinbala is situated the negro kingdom of Gotto,
which is said to be of great extent. It was formerly divided into a
number of petty states, which were governed by their own chiefs; but
their private quarrels invited invasion from the neighbouring kingdoms.
At length a politic chief of the name of Moossee had address enough to
make them unite in hostilities against Bambarra; and on this occasion
he was unanimously chosen general--the different chiefs consenting for
a time to act under his command. Moossee immediately despatched a

fleet of canoes, loaded with provisions, from the banks of the lake
Dibbie up the Niger towards Jenne, and with the whole of his army
pushed forwards into Bambarra. He arrived on the bank of the Niger
opposite to Jenne before the townspeople had the smallest intimation of
his approach. His fleet of canoes joined him the same day, and having
landed the provisions, he embarked part of his army, and in the night
took Jenne by storm. This event so terrified the king of Bambarra that
he sent messengers to sue for peace; and in order to obtain it consented
to deliver to Moossee a certain number of slaves every year, and return
everything that had been taken from the inhabitants of Gotto. Moossee,
thus triumphant, returned to Gotto, where he was declared king, and the
capital of the country is called by his name.
On the west of Gotto is the kingdom of Baedoo, which was conquered
by the present king of Bambarra about seven years ago, and has
continued tributary to him ever since.
West of Baedoo is Maniana, the inhabitants of which, according to the
best information I was able to collect, are cruel and ferocious- -carrying
their resentment towards their enemies so far as never to give quarter,
and even to indulge themselves with unnatural and disgusting banquets
of human flesh.

CHAPTER XVII
--MOORZAN TO TAFFARA

Having, for the reasons assigned in the last chapter, determined to
proceed no farther eastward than Silla, I acquainted the dooty with my
intention of returning to Sego, proposing to travel along the southern
side of the river; but he informed me that, from the number of creeks
and swamps on that side, it was impossible to travel by any other route
than along the northern bank, and even that route, he said, would soon
be impassable on account of the overflowing of the river. However, as
he commended my determination to return westward, he agreed to
speak to some one of the fishermen to carry me over to Moorzan. I
accordingly stepped into a canoe about eight o'clock in the morning of
July 30th, and in about an hour was landed at Moorzan. At this place I
hired a canoe for sixty kowries, and in the afternoon arrived at Kea,

where, for forty kowries more, the dooty permitted me to sleep in the
same hut with one of his slaves. This poor negro, perceiving that I was
sickly, and that my clothes were very ragged, humanely lent me a large
cloth to cover me for the night.
July 31.--The dooty's brother being going to Modiboo, I embraced the
opportunity of accompanying him thither, there being no beaten road.
He promised to carry my saddle, which I had left at Kea, when my
horse fell down in the woods, as I now proposed to present it to the
king of Bambarra.
We departed from Kea at eight o'clock, and about a mile to the
westward observed on the bank of the river a great number of earthen
jars piled up together. They were very neatly formed, but not glazed,
and were evidently of that sort of pottery which is manufactured at
Downie (a town to the west of Timbuctoo), and sold to great advantage
in different parts of Bambarra. As we approached towards the jars my
companion plucked up a large handful of herbage, and threw it upon
them, making signs for me to do the same, which I did. He then, with
great seriousness told me that these jars belonged to some supernatural
power; that they were found in their present situation about two years
ago; and as no person had claimed them, every traveller as he passed
them, from respect to the invisible proprietor, threw some grass, or the
branch of a tree, upon the heap, to defend the jars from the rain.
Thus conversing, we travelled in the most friendly manner, until
unfortunately we perceived the footsteps of a lion, quite fresh in the
mud, near the river-side. My companion now proceeded with great
circumspection; and at last, coming to some thick underwood, he
insisted that I should walk before him. I endeavoured to excuse myself,
by alleging that I did not know the road; but he obstinately