TIMBUCTOO. 11

stables for their camels, &c. in the same place. These fondacs

"* are private property, and are

called either by the owner's name, or by that of

the person who built them. The fondac, in which Shabeeny and his father lived, had forty

apartments for men, exclusive of stables ; twenty below and twenty above, the place having two

stories. The staircase was within the inclosure, and was composed of rough boards ; w^hile he

staid, the rooms were constantly occupied by

natives and strangers ; they hired rooms for three months, for which they paid thirty okiat ^, or

fifteen shillings sterling per month. These fon-

dacs are called Woal ^ by the negroes. The money was paid to the owner's agent, who always

lives in the fondac for this purpose, and to ac- commodate strangers with provisions, &c. At

their arrival, porters assisted them and procured

every thing they w^anted ; but when they were

settled they hired a man and a w^oman slave to cook and to clean their rooms, and to do every menial office. Slaves are to be bought at all

hours : the slave-merchants keep a great number ready for sale.

HOUSES.

In the houses little furniture is seen ; the

principal articles (those of the kitchen excepted)

^ It is probable that Adams, the American sailor, (if he ever was at Timbuctoo,) saw one of these fondacs that be-- longed to the king, and mistook it for his palace.

* Ten okiat, or drahems, make a Mexico dollar.

y The name of the king of Timbuctoo, in 1800 A. C. was Woolo. Many of th« fondacs are rented of him.