Niger

Richard Jobson’s expedition sailed up the Gambia
as far as Tenda, and as definitely put an end to one
rumour as it confirmed another. The Gambia was
not the Niger. But Timbuctoo was a reality—so
Jobson’s informants swore—4 with roofs covered with
gold
The French came trading to the West Coast as
well—all those lands that now belong to them—and
early concentrated on the Senegal, founding stations
far up its course which changes in trade and the
times would leave to long periods of abandonment
and then see revived to fresh activity. Rumours of
the Niger came to them also, contradictory as
always, giving its risings and settings in every point
of the compass. But the main drift of rumour
roused it on its long journey from an inland lake,
and sent it flowing west to the Atlantic.
Yet down the West Coast no great river emerged
except the Congo. Could the Congo be the Niger
under a fresh name ?
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