Life and Travels of Mungo Park

by Mungo Park

Overview

Mungo Park (11 September 1771 - 1806) was a Scottish explorer of West Africa. He was the first Westerner known to have travelled to the central portion of the Niger River, and his account of his travels is still in print. This book has been deemed as a classic and has stood the test of time. The book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789387600133
Publisher:	Alpha Editions
Publication date:	01/31/2018
Pages:	374
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.83(d)

Read an Excerpt

JOURNEY ACROSS THE WILDERNESS. 39 wilderness ; only two of his water-bearers accompanied him, the third having absconded with the money which he had received in advance. He remarks in his narrative, in taking leave of Woolli, that he was well received by the natives ; the fa. tigues of the day were generally alleviated by a hearty welcome at night; and although the African niode of living was at first unpleasant to him, yet he found, at length, that custom surmounted trifling inconveniences, and made everything palatable and easy. CHAPTER IV. 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 Interviews with the King.—The Royal Dwelling.—The King's 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 Serawoollis. —Park's Ill-treatment at Joag.—His Distresses.—Humanity of a Female Slave.—Park's Journey from Kajaaga into Kas- son. [1795-1796.] Park's first day's journey across the wilderness between Woolli and Bondou was a very long and fatiguing one. His attendants were so extremely apprehensive of banditti, that, instead of resting for the night at the first watering-place, he pushed on for another; this he reached at eight o'clock 40 TIEFRACTORY ASSES. when a large fire was kindled, and the party laid down, surrounded by their cattle, on the bare ground, more than a gunshot from any bush, the negroes agreeing to keep watch by turns, to pre. vent surprise. At daylight on the following morn- ing thejourney was resumed ; and about eleven o'clock they reached Tallika, the first town of the Foulah kingdom of Bondou. On the morrow, being the 14th...