ismounted, and after a laborious ascent, which occupied them three
quarters of an hour, at length reached the top. Stones and blocks of
granite interrupted their path, so that it became a very difficult
matter to force the horses along before them; they fell repeatedly,
but without materially injuring themselves.

The name of the town was Chekki; their arrival was rather unexpected,
and therefore the governor was not prepared to receive them, and they
sat down under a tree, until they were tired of waiting. At length, a
man came to conduct them to his residence, which was but a little way
from the tree, under which they were reposing, when a tumultuous rush
was made by the inhabitants to precede them into the yard, and
notwithstanding the presence of their chief, they so surrounded the
travelling party as to prevent a particle of fresh air from reaching
them. The governor received them with bluntness, but not unkindly,
though without much demonstration of good-will. While in his yard, he
regaled them with water, and afterwards sent them a large calabash of
_foorah_ sweetened with honey to their lodgings, which did not taste
unlike thick gruel or _burgoo_, as it is termed in Scotland. It is
made of a corn called goorah, is very palatable, and is in general
use with the natives of these parts. A quantity of bananas from the
chief soon followed the foorah, and something more substantial than
either, was promised them.

It was observed to be a general practice here, as well as in every
other town through which the Landers passed, for children until the
age of seven years to go naked, with perhaps a string of kowries tied
round the loins, and clumsy bracelets, either of brass or tin
enclosing the wrist. Grown-up people, however, dress somewhat neatly,
if not gracefully; the men wear a cap, tobe and trousers, mostly
blue, and the women wear a large loose cotton cloth, which is thrown
over the left shoulder, and comes down mantling below the knee. The
right arm and feet alone are bare. People of both sexes are
infinitely more grave and serious in their manners, than those nearer
the coast, nor was the loud vacant laugh so prevalent, as at the
commencement of their journey.

They quitted Chekki on the 1st of May, and rode on pleasantly until,
at the expiration of four hours, they arrived at Coosoo, a large and
important town. A Fellata hamlet stands near it, the inhabitants of
which, subsist by following pastoral occupations