Note 54 — Chapter II
Reading edition
“I had a good deal of conversation with some men of a particular tribe of Mandingas called Nyalas. These are great travellers, and much respected by all the nations of Africa. It is from this nation that all the Gaungays or workers in leather, come; and they are likewise employed as the speakers on all embassies: as they are not only good orators, but are so far privileged, that no one, not even kings, can take offence at any thing they say. Any one who travels with them, is sure of being protected; and, to use their own terms, they can pass between contending armies, who will defer the battle till they have passed. I inquired about Tombuctoo,” &c.—One of them said, that “about a month’s journey beyond Teembo, we should come to a large Water, which our eyes would not be able to reach across; but which to the taste was sweet and good; that we should then coast along, touching at different towns for refreshment; but that there was one country inhabited by bad people, who would rob and murder us, if they could; where we should not stop, but keep far out, at a distance from the shore;” &c. They engaged to carry him thither for the price of four slaves. [Watt’s Journal, MS. p. 181.]