There I learned that Major Gray, after making fresh purchases of goods at the Senegal for the purpose of continuing his journey in the interior, had failed in all his attempts, not without injuring the French commerce, a species of success which can have made but poor amends for the enormous loss which he has occasioned to England: for his enterprize, and those of Peddie, Campbell, and Tuckey, have, it is said, together cost England eighteen millions in French money (£750,000 sterling).
In 1824, I returned to the Senegal to try my fortune with a small venture, for which M. Sourget, a merchant of distinguished merit, made advances for me: the paternal sentiments which he manifested for me I shall ever hold in grateful remembrance.
I need not observe that, at the bottom of my heart, I still cherished my design of visiting the interior of Africa: and it seemed as if no obstacle could any longer impede me, when I saw at the head of the colony Baron Roger, whose philanthropy and enlightened understanding promised me a patron of all great and useful enterprizes.
I solicited therefore his authority for travelling in the interior, with the support and under the auspices of the king’s government: but M. Roger strove in the kindest manner to damp my zeal. He represented to me that the business in which I had embarked offered chances of fortune which it was imprudent to sacrifice; and that my youth and inexperience might moreover ruin my future prospects, and perhaps endanger my life. These representations entitled him to my gratitude, but did not shake my resolution.
I was bent on going, and I declared that if the government would not accept my offers, I would carry my plan into execution with my own unaided means. This determination made an impression upon the mind of the governor, who granted me some goods, that I might go and live among the Braknas and learn the Arabic language and the religious ceremonies of the Moors, in order that I might subsequently be able to lull their jealous mistrust, and thus penetrate the more easily to the interior of Africa.
TRAVELS
TO
TIMBUCTOO,
&c. &c.
CHAPTER I.
Pedestrian journey from St. Louis to Neyreh. — Passage to N’ghiez. — Manners of the inhabitants. — Miraculous stone. — Departure. — Robbers. — Mode of fishing with nets. — The steam-vessel. — The author’s arrival among the Braknas. — Conversation with Mohammed Sidy Moctar, chief marabout to the king. — Reception by the king.