CHAPTER VIII.
WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA.
The Colony of Sierra Leone, of which Free Town is
the capital, is situated in 8 degrees 30 minutes north
latitude, and is about 13-1/2 degrees west longitude;
was settled by the English, and was for a long time
the most important place on the western coast of
Africa. The three leading tribes on the coast of
Sierra Leone are the Timanis, the Susus, and the Veys.
The first of these surround the British Colony of Sierra
Leone on all sides. The Susus have their principal
settlements near the head-waters of the Rio Pongas,
and are at some distance from the sea coast.
The Veys occupy all the country about the Gallinas
and Cape Mount, and extend back into the country to
the distance of fifty or a hundred miles.
The Timanis cultivate the soil to some extent, have small herds of domestic animals, and are engaged to a greater or less extent in barter with the English colonists of Sierra Leone. They may be seen in large numbers about the streets of Free Town, wearing a large square cotton cloth thrown around their persons. They are strong and healthy in appearance, but have a much
