He was sitting in his balloon, surrounded by several slatees, to whom he was reading from an Arabic book.

He asked Mr.
Park if he understood it, and being answered in the negative, desired one of the slatees to fetch the little curious book that was brought from the west country.

Mr.Park was surprised and delighted to find this volume _"The Book of Common Prayer"_ and Karfa expressed great joy to hear he could read it, as some of the slatees, who had seen Europeans upon the coast, were unwilling, from his distressed appearance, to admit that Mr.Park was a white man, but suspected that he was some Arab in disguise.

Karfa, however, perceiving he could read this book, had no doubt concerning Mr.Park, and promised him every assistance in his power, at the same time informing him, that it was impossible to cross the Jallonka wilderness for many months to come, as eight rapid rivers lay in the way.

He added, that he himself intended to set out for Gambia, with a caravan of slaves, as soon as the rivers were fordable, and the grass burnt, and invited Mr.Park to stay and accompany him, remarking that when a caravan could not travel through the country, it was idle for a single man to attempt it.