Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/238

 centuries, acquired considerable influence over the native populations, and the general medium of intercourse is the so-called Papel, a jargon or lingua-franca of Portuguese origin, which is variously affected by Negro elements, according to the predominant speech of the several districts. Like all such "pidgin " languages, it has a very limited vocabulary and a rudimentary structure, discarding gram- matical gender and modifying the verbal senses by means of invariable auxiliaries.

The six thousand or seven thousand natives directly subject to the Portuguese administration are scattered over an extensive space, along the banks of the estuary and throughout the Bissagos Islands. In the Cacheo basin the only stations are Farim in the Balanta territory, about 120 miles from the coast, and Cacheo (Cachea) on the south side of the estuary, here accessible to vessels drawing 10 feet. Bisscio, in the island of like name at the north entrance of the Geba, consists of a fort, round which are grouped six native villages, each with its regulo or head man.

But the most important settlement is Bolama, capital of Guiné, residence of the governor and headquarters of the troops. The little town lies on a creek dry at low water, and separating the island of Bolama from the mainland at the north entrance of the Rio-Grande. This place was occupied in 1792 by two hundred and seventy-five English settlers, who were soon reduced by famine and sickness to a handful of wretched survivors, saved from certain death by returning to England. Since then the possession of Bolama formed the subject of litigation between Great Britain and Portugal, the question being decided in 1870 by the United States in favour of the latter power. But the trade of the place is in the hands of French houses, which export ground-nuts, and copal collected at the foot of the trees and said to be the finest in the world. The port, lying to the south-west of the town, is well sheltered, and the island, formerly overrun by herds of elephants, now produces some corn, sugar, and vegetables.

In the Rio-Grande estuary the two chief Portuguese stations are Bisasma and Buba, both on the south side, the former near the entrance, the latter at the head of the navigation. Farther inland are Guidali, a little fort recently captured by the Portuguese from the Fulahs, and Kade, on the great curve of the Comba below the Tomine confluence, a place much frequented by Mandingan traders. In the neighbourhood dwells the peaceful and un warlike Tiapi agricultural tribe, speaking a peculiar language totally distinct both from the Fulah and Mandingan.

The whole seaboard stretching north-west and south-east for 240 miles in a straight line between Portuguese Guine and the British territory of Sierra-Leone, has been named the "Southern Rivers," as if the mouths of the rivers visited by traders and mariners had alone any value in their eyes. This region has