The natives made several attempts to steal my camp-kettle, but my interpreter told them, as I clapped my hand to my sword, that I never hesitated to chop off an arm or a head, if I caught any one stealing my property. They told him he must not talk of cutting arms or heads off where we were only intruding strangers; but my interpreter assured them, that if their numbers were ten times more than they were, a white man cared not. If any man does him wrong, he kills him by some evil art, if not by the sword. Although this assertion was of course ridiculous, it appeared to have the desired effect.
After the gadadoo had finished his business, he again joined us, as we were lying down under a large tree, in the market-place. He offered us a hut during the remaining part of the night, but we found it so filthy, as to be uninhabitable, being merely a shed where the slaves had been kept for sale during the day. Both myself and men felt much annoyed at this, and we determined to leave the town, and encamp somewhere in the bush. We gave the gadadoo some small presents, but he seemed to have expected much more. I peremptorily refused to extend my gifts, and took my departure very abruptly, to proceed on my journey, never intimating any thing of my intention of encamping near the town.
We passed out of the town at the northern having entered at the southern gate, the path bearing N. 30° W., and at two miles from the town we turned some distance out of the path, where we found some rocks, and behind these we encamped for the night, but did not kindle a fire, lest we might be observed. Early in the morning I aroused my poor fellows, who were evidently beginning to show symptoms of having been over-marched; and, though I rode a great part of the distance, I found the wound in my leg getting every day larger. Still I determined to pursue my journey, and though my poor companions had several times hinted that the safest course was to turn back, I remembered the old adage, recommended by Captain Beaufort of the Admiralty, never to put my hand to the plough and look backward. I felt much for my men, but I dared not say any thing, lest they should take a resolution not to proceed.
FOOTNOTES:
[13] Assofoodah contains about twelve thousand inhabitants.
[14] Granaries of a similar construction have been noticed in the neighbourhood of Whydah.
CHAPTER VI.
Peculiar Breed of Dogs—The Town of Zabakano—Market Day—Native Manufactures—Domestic Slaves—Palm Oil—Joleeba, or Niger—Horses make part of the Family—Pelican Nest—Pigeons—Kindness of the Gadadoo—Pigeon Shooting—Palaver with the Gadadoo—Population—Mounted Soldiers—Character of the Scenery—Grooba—Manufactures—The Town of Sagbo—Drilling System general here—Two sorts of Rice—Received by the Gadadoo with great Pomp—Palaver—Dromedary and Elephant—Prevalent Diseases—The Town of Jakee—Reception—Ancient Custom—Breakfast of the Natives—Manufactures—Terror of the Natives—Chalybeate Springs—The River Jenoo—The Land Tortoise—Interesting Panorama—The Town of Kallakandi—Reception by the Sheik—Palaver—Band of Musicians—Peculiar Instruments—Manufactures, &c.—Slave Market—Horses—Laws-Cruel Punishment—Population—Attack on a Boa-Constrictor—Manufactures—Deer—Method of Preserving Meat and Fish—Trap for Wild Animals—Town of Ongo—Reception by the Caboceer—Interesting Aspect of the Country.
July 29th.—We kindled a fire, and made breakfast, and at sunrise we again commenced our journey from the neighbourhood of Kassokano. The country was much of the same character as that we had recently passed. Here I observed a particular species of dogs, much coarser than those in the Kong Mountains, where the breed is very much like the British greyhound though not so large. After passing over several small streams of good water, of which we had each a hearty draught, we, at seven miles, arrived at the large town of Zabakano. Here the King met me, and escorted me with two hundred horsemen. He was well acquainted, it appeared, with the priest Terrasso-weea.
This town is beautifully situated, commanding a view of the surrounding country to a great distance. The people seem cheerful and contented. This was one of the principal market-days, consequently I had an opportunity of observing the supplies of the different articles of trade and consumption. It was well supplied with native produce, and a greater quantity of rice was exposed than in any other market I have visited in Africa. Here, also, I was shown a large quantity of armlets and bracelets, manufactured with considerable taste and skill in Bornou, and brought thither by Terrasso-weea’s trading party. Tanning and dyeing are also executed skilfully; and sandals and a peculiar sort of slippers are here manufactured, similar to those we found in Tangiers.