The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805 by Park, Mungo, 1771-1806, Whishaw, John

June 13th.--Early in the morning departed from Dindikoo. The sick occupied all the horses and spare asses; and as the number of drivers was thus diminished, we had very hard work to get on. Ten of the loaded asses and drivers went a different road. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Scott being with them, fired their muskets as soon as they observed that the guide was leading them in a road where were no asses' foot marks. Answered them; and sent the serjeant to their assistance. In half an hour they came up, having gone about three miles too much to the right. Reached a village almost deserted about one o'clock, and found the coffle halted by a stream to the east of it. Very uneasy about our situation: half of the people being either sick of the fever or unable to use great exertion, and fatigued in driving the asses. Found, to my great mortification, that the ass which carried the telescope and several other things, was not come up. Mr. Anderson, the serjeant, and our guide rode back about five miles in search of it; but returned at half past three o'clock, without being able to find it. Presented the Dooty of the village with five bars of amber; requesting him, if he heard of it, to send it forward, and I would reward him for it. Put on the loads; and part of the coffle had departed, when one of the Dooty's sons came and told us that he had seen the ass, and brought it to the village. Went to the village, and paid the person who found it twenty bars, and the Dooty ten bars. Mounted the load on my horse, and drove it before me. I did not reach Fankia till seven o'clock; having to walk slow, in order to coax on three sick soldiers who had fallen behind, and were for lying down under every tree they passed. Fankia is a small village, four miles North West from _Binlingalla_. Here we departed from my former route, and did not touch on it again till we reached the Niger.

Chapter III.

Departure from Fankia--Tambaura mountains, and difficulties in ascending the Pass--Toombin--Great embarrassments on the road--Serimanna--Fajemmia --Astronomical observations--Increase of the sick--Nealakalla--Ba Lee River--Boontoonkooran--Dooggikotta--Falifing--Losses on the road--Gimbia; inhospitable treatment--Sullo--Face of the country--Secoba --Kronkromo--Passage of the Ba Fing--Mode of smelting and working gold --Fatal accident in crossing the Ba Fing--Hippopotami--Deaths and losses on the route--Increase of sickness--Reach Viandry--Koeena--Danger from young lions--Koombandi--Great embarrassments on the road--Fonilla--Ba Woolima River; difficulties in crossing it--Isaaco seized by a crocodile --Boolinkoonbo--Distressing situation of the whole of the party--Reach Serrababoo--Saboseera.

CHAPTER III.

June 14th.--I halted at Fankia, in order to give the sick a little rest, knowing there was a steep hill to ascend near this place. Found myself very sick, having been feverish all night.

' " Observed mer. alt. Sun, - 159 39 0 ---------- 79 49 0-1/2 0 16 0 ---------- 80 5 30 ---------- Z.D. - 9 55 30 D. - - 23 17 0 ---------- Latitude - 13 22 30