43 CHAPTER III.

Major Gray takes the Command—Departure from Sierra Leone—Arrival at Bathurst St. Mary's—Occurrences there—Departure for, and Arrival at Kayaye—Description of a tribe of wandering Foolahs—Description of Kayaye, the surrounding Country, and Inhabitants— Their Amusements, &c.—Visit to Katoha—The King's Visit to us—Arrival of Camels from Senegal—Our Guide's proposal respecting the path—My Decision, and Reasons—Fatality among our Animals—Arrival of Mr.

Partarrieau from St. Mary's—Arrangements for Departure.

Such was the state of the expedition, when, in the month of November, 1817, 1 volunteered my services to conduct it. Mr. Dochard, who was second in command, had been despatched some time before, on board a transport to the Cape Verde Islands, to procure animals, and from thence proceed to Bathurst, St. Mary's, river Gambia j but although Mr. Stokoe had packed, previous to his death, and sent forward with that officer, a part of the baggage, much yet remained at Sierra Leone in a confused state, the arranging and packing of which, together with selecting from amongst the men who composed the former expedition, such as were both willing and