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

[Footnote: The name is thus written in Mr. Park's MS.; but it seems to be a mistake for _Alston_, v. ante p. 87.]

July 5th.--With great difficulty got the asses loaded, but had not a sufficient number of spare asses for the sick. Set one of them on my horse, and walked, feeling a remission of the fever, though still very giddy and unwell. We soon reached Boolinkoomboo, it being only two miles from the landing place. This village is sometimes called Moiaharra: it does not contain above one hundred people. On collecting the asses, found that three were missing, besides a sickly one, which was too weak to cross the river, and was eaten by the people of Fonilla. All this diminished our means of carrying forward the sick.

I now found my situation very perplexing. To go forward without Isaaco to Keminoom, I knew would involve us in difficulties; as Keminoom's sons are reckoned the greatest thieves and blackguards on the whole route. To stop till Isaaco recovered (an event which seemed very doubtful), would throw us into the violence of the rains. There was no other person that I could trust; and, what was worst of all, we had only _two days rice_, and a great scarcity prevailed in the country. I determined to wait three days, to see how Isaaco's wounds looked, and in the mean time sent two of his people away to Serracorra with an ass and three strings of No. 5. amber to purchase rice.

July 6th.--All the people either sick, or in a state of great debility, except one. Bought all the milk I could find, and boiled a camp kettle full of strong decoction of barks every day.

July 7th.--Dressed Isaaco's wounds: they looked remarkably well.

July 8th.--Waiting very anxiously for the return of Isaaco's people with the rice, being now on very short allowance.

July 9th.--In the afternoon Isaaco's people returned, bringing with them l23 lbs. of clean rice; Isaaco's wounds looking well, and beginning to discharge good pus. Latitude by uncertain obs. mer. alt. of the sun 13 11'.

July 10th.--Departed from Boolinkoomboo, and eight miles N.E. passed the village of Serrababoo; close to which is a stream called Kinyaco, about knee deep, running to the N.W. It was very difficult to cross, on account of the fissures in the rocks which form its bed. Several of the asses fell, and their loads were of course wet. From this we travelled due North, over a ridge of rocks, which formed the only passage across a chain of hills. When we had crossed this, we travelled six miles on a rocky and almost impassable road, and a little before sun-set, to our great joy, reached Sabooseera (Dooty Matta). This is a scattered unwalled village. Latitude by mer. alt. of moon 13 deg. 50'.

Chapter IV.

Arrival at Keminoom, or Manniakorro, on the Ba lee river.--Visit to the Chief.--Depredations upon the coffle by the inhabitants--Continued attacks from banditti as far as the Ba Woolima river--Difficulties in passing it--temporary bridge made by the natives.--Astronomical observations--Arrival at Mareena; inhospitable conduct of his inhabitants--Bangassi; interview with the King--Continued sickness, and deaths among the soldiers.--Arrival at Nummasoolo--Obliged to leave five of the sick behind--reach Surtaboo--Sobee--Affray between Isaaco and two soldiers--Balanding--Balandoo--More of the soldiers fall behind--Koolihori--Greatly annoyed by wolves.

CHAPTER IV.