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The Life and Travels of Mungo Park (1851)

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The Life and Travels of Mungo Park (1851) THE LIFE AND TRAVELS MUNGO PARK; WITH THE ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH FROM THE JOURNAL OF ISAACO THE SUBSTANCE OF LATER DISCOVERIES REL- ATIVE TO HIS LAMENTED FATE, AND THE TERMINATION OF THE NIGER. NEW-YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, CLIFF-ST. 1851, r^.^0^^^^^^iS^ >"=v Knterea, according to Act of Congress, ih ttie year 1840, bf Harper & Brothers, In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-Yo-*' 'V T / S^' ADVERTISEMENT Few subjects have excited a more lively interost Among the curious and the learned, than the geo- graphical problem with regard to the termination of the Niger. This question was at length put at rest by the successful expedition of the Landers,* but not until after more than half a century of fruit- less ef]Lrt and speculation, during which many val- uable lives had been sacrificed in attempting to trace to its outlet the course of this mysterious riv- er. Among those who had generously devoted themselves to this perilous enterprise, none was more distinguished than Mungo Park ; whose un- timely fate, after having triumphed over the most appalling difficulties, excited the deepest commis- eration and regret. Besides a minute and copious narration of the two expeditions of this celebrated traveller, the volume here offered to the public con- tains a succinct and interesting account of the la- bours of subsequent adventurers in the same field, bringing down the subject of African discovery to the most recent period. H. & B. New- York, May, 1840. * See Landers' Expeditipn to the Niger, Nos xxxv. and xvxvi of Harpers' Family Library. — CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. [1771-1795.] Birth and Education of Mungo Park.—His apprenticeship to a Surgeon.—His Arrival in London.—Hi.s Appointment of As- sistant-surgeon in an East India Ship.—His Voyage to India and back.—The African Association.— Park's Services ac- cepted by them.—His Motives for offering them.—His In- structions Page 13 CHAPTER n. [1795.] Park's Voyage to Africa.—His Stay at Pisania.—His Illness and Occupations.—Preparations for his Journey to the Inte- rior. —The Negro Nations near the Gambia—The Feloops The Jaloofs, or Yaloofs—The Foulahs—The Mandingoes. Illustration of their System of Judicature . .18 CHAPTER III. [1795.] Departure of Park from Pisania.—His Equipment and Party. —His Arrival at Jindey.—Mandingo Story-teller.— Park's in- voluntary Present to the King of Walli.—His Arrival at Medi na, the Capital of Woolii.— His Interviews with the King. Saphies, or Charms of the Negroes.— Description of Mumbo Jumbo.—Park's Departure from the Territory of Woolii . 28 CHPATER IV. [1795-1796.] Park's Journey across the Wilderness into Bondou.—Negro Method of treating refractory Asses.—Fishery on the River Faleme.—Park's Arrival at the Capital of Bondou.—His In- terviews with the King.—The Royal Dwelling.—The King's —— Viil COiXTEINTS. Admiration of Park's new blue Coat, and the Consequences — Park's Interview with the King's Wives. — His Departure from Bondou, and Journey into Kajaaga.—The SerawooUis. — Park's Ill-treatment at Joag.—His Distresses.— Humanity of a Female Slave.—Park's Journey from Kajaaga into Kas- son Page 35 CHAPTER V. [1796.] Park's Arrival in Kasson.—His Detention at Teesee.—Conver sion of all tlie inhabitants to Mohammedanism.—Rapacity oi the Governor.— Park's Arrival at Jumbo.— Reception of a Na- tive who accompanied him by the Townspeople. — Park's Journey to Kooniakary.—His Audience of the King of Kas- son. —Obstacles to his Progress. —His Journey into Kaarta. An amusing Adventure. — Park's Arrival at Kemmoo, the Capital of Kaarta.— His Resolution to proceed through the Moorish Kingdom of Ludamar . .51 CHAPTER VT. [1796.] Journey into the Moorish Kingdom of Ludamar.—A Youth murdered by the Moors. —Scene at his Death.—Particulars of Major Houghton's Fate. — Park's Arrival at Jarra. —Refusal of his Attendants to Proceed. — Fidelity of his Boy.— His Ill- treatment by the Moors at Deena. —His Journey to Dalli, and kind Reception there.— His Seizure by the Moors at Salee. His Conveyance to Benown.— His Treatment by Ali.—Insult- ing Behaviour of the Moors towards him . .61 CHAPTER VII. [1796.] Park's Debut as a Barber, and the Result.—Rapacity of King Ali towards him—The Monarch's Perplexity at a Pocket Compass.— His Refusal to allow Park's Departure. —The Traveller's distressing Condition.- A Sand-wind.— Sultriness of the Weather. — Continued Ill-treatment of Park. — His Sufferings from Hunger.— Removal of the Moorish Camp. Park's Introduction to Queen Fatima.— Excessive Heat and Scarcity of Water.—Park's Suffermgs from Thirst.— Fortu- nate Change in his favour '^5 — CONTENTS. ix CHAPTER VIII. [1796.] Departure of Park from Bnbaker.— All's Detention of his Boy, Demba.—His Grief and Indignation.—His Flight from Jarra with the Townspeople.—His Escape from a Party of Moors at Queira.—His Treatment by another Party.— His Joy at his Deliverance.— His Sufferings from Thirst in the Wilderness. His Fainting upon the Sand. — Relief afforded him by a fall of Rain.— A narrow Escape.— Charity of an old Woman towards him. —His continued Risks. —His Arrival at Waiora beyond the reach of the Moors.—His Journey to Sego, and Discovery of the Niger Page 86 CHAPTER IX. [1796.] The City of Sego.—Conduct of the King of Bambarra towards Park. —The Traveller's Distress, and the Kindness of a Ne- gro Woman towards him.—The King's Present to him.— His Progress Eastward. —His narrow Escape from a Lion. —His Arrival at Silla. —His Resolution not to proceed farther , 99 CHAPTER X. [1796.] Park's Departure from Silla on his Return.—Difficulties of his Situation.— His Resolution to trace the Niger to the West- ward.— Dangers and Hardships of his Journey.—His Escape from a Lion. —His Saphies, or written Charms.— His Arrival at Bammakoo, and Departure from the Niger.—His Ill-treat- ment by Banditti.—His Consolation in Affliction.—Scarcity of Provisions, and its dreadful Effects. —A Night Adventure. His arrival at Kamalia, and Determination to stop there . 107 CHAPTER XL [1796-1797.] c'ark's Residence at Kamalia. —Description of that Town. Park's Occupation during his Stay there. —Climate and Sea- sons of the Countries visited by him. —The Inhabitants, and their Religious Opinions. —Their Ignorance and Superstition. —Manufactures of Leather and Iron.—The Process of smelt- ing Iron 120 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. [1797-1798.] Slavery in Africa.— Different Kinds of Slaves.— Souices of Sla- very.— Modes of African Warfare.—Famine, and other Cau- ses of Slavery.-Mode of collecting Gold-dust.— Process of washing it. —Great Value of Salt in Manding.—Mode of pro- curing ivory.—Manner of hunting the Elephant . Page 133 CHAPTER XIIL [1797.] Park's Departure from Kamalia with a Coffle of Slaves for the Gambia.— Difficulties of the Journey.— Crossing the Jallonka Wilderness.—Melancholy Fate of a Female Slave.—Arrival of the Coffle at Jindey.— Park's Arrival at Pisania.—His Voyage Home.—His Arrival in London 146 CHAPTER XIV. [1797-1805.] Interest excited by Park's Return.— Publication of his Narra- tive. —Importance of his Discoveries, particularly concerning the Niger.— His Marriage.— His Anxiety to be again sent Out. —His Settlement at Peebles as a Surgeon. —His Dissatisfac- tion with his Occupation. —Application of the Government to him.—His Acceptance of their Offer. —Delays in the setting out of the Expedition.-Park'slnstructions . 155 CHAPTER XV [1805.] Departure of Park on his Second Expedition.—His Proceedings at Goree.— His Confidence of Success.— High Spirits of the ^ Troops.— Park's Letters from Kayee.— Real Difficulties of his Situation. —Dangers from the approach of the Rainy Season. —Park's Resolution to proceed ... .164 CHAPTER XVL [1805.] Departure from Kayee and Commencement of the Journey into the Interior.—Difficulties of the first Day's March.—Order of — CONTENTS. X Proceeding.—Arrival at Madina.—Rapacity of the King of Woolli.— Stratagem of the Soldiers to procure Water at Ka- nipe. Fruit of the Nitta-trees. Arrival at the Gambia. — — | Death of one of the Soldiers.— Hostile Conduct of the Chief at Badv, and the Results. —Attack made upon the Caravan by a Swarm ol Bees.—Park's Letters from Badoo . Page 170 CHAPTER XVn. [1805.] Commencement of the Rainy Season.—Alarming Sickness. — Gold Mines at Shrondo.— Arrival at Fankia.— Difficult Mountain Pass. — Increase of the Sick. — Hostility of the Na- tives at Gimbia.—Face of the Country.— Its romantic Char- acter. — Sickness of the Men.—Park's personal Exertions. Dangers from young Lions.—The Guide seized by a Croco- dile. —His Expedient to Escape.— Arrival at Keminoom. Depredations of the Natives. — Continued Sickness.— Five Men left behind.—Illness of Mr. Anderson.— Park's Escape from three Lions.— His View of the Niger . 180 CHAPTER XVHL [1805.] Distressing Situation of Park.—His Embarcation on the Niger, — His Arrival at Marraboo.—At Samee. —His Speech to Man. song's Prime Minister.—Mansong's Reply. — Park's Arrival at Sansanding. — His Description of that Town.— His successful Trading there.— Death of his Brother-in-law, Mr. Anderson. — Completion of the Schooner Joliba.—Last Letters received from Park ... 202 CHAPTER XIX. [1805-1830.] Rumours of Park*s Death.— Isaaco's Mission to inquire into their Truth.— Account of Park's Fate obtained from his Guide.—Its Confirmation by subsequent Travellers.— Clapperton's Ac- count — Exertions by the Brothers Lander to procure Park's Papers.—Memorials of him obtained by them . .214 B Xll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XX. [1805-1830.] Historical Sketch of later Discoveries.—Four Hypotheses con- cerning the Termination of the Niger.—Hypothesis of its Identity with the Congo.
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