If it were not for the uncharitable maxims of the Koran, the Foulahs of Bondou, who are naturally good, would be kinder to strangers, and less reserved in their conduct towards the Mandingos: my traveller, however, had nothing to complain of, as he was very well treated.
The government is under the influence of the Mahometan laws, with the exception of the king and his family; but though the great people of the state be Mussulmans, they are wise enough not to sanction religious persecution; and Pagans and Mussulmans consequently live in peace together.
The Foulahs have a particular language; but almost all of them speak Arabic: they are graziers, farmers, and merchants, and every where live in abundance; but at Bondou they enjoy in profusion all the necessaries of life.
CHAP. XVI.
EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF SIDI-CARACHI ON HIS RETURN FROM GALAM TO ISLE ST. LOUIS. — FARTHER PARTICULARS OF THE COUNTRY IN THE ENVIRONS OF GALAM.
SIDI-CARACHI, the Marabou Moor, who accompanied my traveller to Galam, set off to return to Isle St. Louis on the 29th of March, 1786. As he did not exactly come by the same route which he went, I shall give an extract from his journal, which will shew the distance of the journey by hours, from Isle St. Louis to Galam[3].
| * | From | Tombaboukané | to | Golombo, | 6 hours. |
| * | Golombo | — | Médiné | 5 ditto. | |
| Médiné | — | Kainoura, | 7 ditto. | ||
| * | Kainoura | — | Gougiourou, | 5 ditto. | |
| Gougiourou | — | Sambacolo, | 5 ditto. | ||
| Sambacolo | — | Buggil, | 6 ditto. | ||
| ** | Buggil | — | Coussan, | 5 ditto. | |
| * | Coursan | — | Coudi, | 4 ditto. | |
| ** | Coudi | — | Granado, | 6 ditto. | |
| ** | Granado | — | Tellika, | 5 ditto. | |
| ** | Tellica | — | Gambia, | 8 ditto. | |
| * | Gambia | — | Kolor, | 6 ditto. | |
| ** | Kolor | — | Lamen, | 8 ditto. | |
| Lamen | — | Caldenne, | 4 ditto. | ||
| * | Caldenne | — | Cafime, | 6 ditto. | |
| * | Cafime | — | Maleme, | 5 ditto. | |
| * | Maleme | — | Passe, | 6 ditto. | |
| * | Passe, four days travelling in thewoods to arrive at Kiamen, eight hours march per day, | 32 ditto. | |||
| * | Kiamen | — | Caka, | 6 ditto. | |
| * | Caka | — | Gury, | 5 ditto. | |
| * | Gury | — | Hicarkor, | 6 ditto. | |
| * | Hicarkor | — | Douai, | 4 ditto. | |
| Douai | — | Gasama, | 6 ditto. | ||
| Gasama | — | Kibi, | 5 ditto. | ||
| * | Kibi | — | Coqui, | 7 ditto. | |
| Coqui | — | Betel-Diabi, | 5 ditto. | ||
| * | Betel-Diabi | — | Mériné | 6 ditto. | |
| * | Mériné | — | Keainderain, | 4 ditto. | |
| Keainderain | — | Mériné-Giob, | 5 ditto. | ||
| * | Mériné-Giob | — | Maricamp, | 5 ditto. | |
| Maricamp | — | Gandiolle | 7 ditto. | ||
| * | Gandiolle | — | Isle St. Louis, | 6 ditto. | |
| Total 206 hours. | |||||
These 206 hours journey are calculated at the rate of three-fourths of a league per hour, a progress which appears reasonable, and which gives the distance of 154½ leagues. By the river, it is estimated at not less than 300 leagues; which makes an enormous difference; while it is evident that the abridgment of the journey nearly two months, in consequence of performing it by land, is the least advantage which Europeans will derive from the discovery.