Y. “The writing of this copy ended on Thursday afternoon, the 5th of Rajab, 1242, of Hegira—(January 31, 1827, A.D.), in the city of Soccatoo, residence of the Prince of the Faithful Sultan Mohammed Bello, by his special command to me, Mohammed, son of Ahmad Masané—(i.e. native of Maséna)—for Abdálláh the English Christian.”
A. V. SALAMÉ.
No. II.
Translation of the Account of the “Expedition of Forty Christians,” &c. &c.
“In past years a company of Christians came from the side of Darwadar[2], a town belonging to the Christians, following the river to Foota-tooro, and from thence they proceeded to Ségo. They were forty men, and, on their arrival, the Sultan of Ségo received them hospitably, gave them presents, and lodged them in one of his towns called Sansaní (Sansanding of Park). They then acquainted him that they wished to build a ship; to do which he gave them leave. During their residence there, and the building of the ship, most of them died, and by the time the ship was finished, five only were alive. These five men embarked on board the vessel, and proceeded eastwards till they arrived at Jeris, where they resided as long as God was pleased. They thence went on to Maséna, following the river till they came to one of our towns called Seebi[3], between Jeri and Timbuctoo, that they might cross the way of the river[4]. They sojourned there with the prince, who was one of the sons of the Sultan of Timbuctoo, and whose name was Babal-kydiali. He entertained them, and gave them leave to proceed to Timbuctoo. They continued their voyage till they arrived in safety, five as they were, at the city of Timbuctoo, where they resided as long as God was pleased. Thence they went on towards the country of Sóghy till they came to one of its towns called Gharwal-gáoo. There the Tuaricks met, and fought them severely till three were killed, and two only of them escaped with the vessel.
“They proceeded towards the east till they arrived at Boussa; but the inhabitants fought and killed them, and their ship is to this moment there. This is the substance and the truth of the case.”
Observation.—From the melancholy termination of this adventure, and the place where the boat now exists, no one can doubt that this account relates to Mungo Park and his party; and that it is the most authentic and circumstantial that can be had. As to their number being “forty Christians,” it is easily accounted for, when we know that those people call any one who might be in the service of an European “a Christian.” So that it is not improbable that all those who were employed by Mungo Park were considered “Christians,” and thus formed the number of forty.
A. V. S.