they saw the fatakie, no doubt
expected to obtain an easy booty, not anticipating to find a white
man amongst them, nor thinking that their carriers would have made
a stand.

They journeyed fifteen miles through this dreaded forest, which
occupied them five hours and three quarters, owing to the weakness of
their horses, and want of water, but above all to the oppressive heat
of the weather, from which they all suffered more or less. They then
arrived at the Moussa, which is a rivulet, separating the kingdom of
Yarriba from Borgoo. Having satisfied their thirst and bathed, they
crossed the stream, and entered a little village on the northern
bank, where they halted for the day.

When travelling in the bush, several men in the train of a fatakie
wear a large iron ring on the thumb and middle finger; to the latter
a piece of plate iron is attached, with which they make signals to
each other, and the fatakie, when apart, by clinking the rings. This
method of communication is very significant, and it is understood as
well, and is as promptly answered or obeyed, as the boatswain's
whistle on board a ship. The collision of the rings produces a harsh,
grating noise, loud enough to be heard at a considerable distance.

The mere crossing of a little stream, which a person might almost
have jumped over, introduced them into a country very different from
Yarriba, which was inhabited by a different people, speaking a
different language, professing a different religion, and whose
manners, customs, amusements, and pursuits were altogether different.

The village in which they halted was called Moussa, after the river,
and is distant from Keeshee, in a northerly direction, as nearly as
they could guess, about sixteen miles. The Landers occupied a large
round hut, called by the natives of that country _catamba_, in the
Houssa language _sowley_, and in the Bornou _coozie_. In the centre
of it is the trunk of a large tree, which supports the roof; it has
two apertures for doors, which are opposite each other, and directly
over them, suspended from the wall, are a couple of charms, written
in the Arabic character on bits of paper, which are to preserve the
premises from being destroyed by fire.

It was now eleven o'clock at night; their attendants were reposing on
mats and skins in various parts of the hut. Bows and arrows and
quivers ornamented with cows' tails, together with muskets, pistols,
swords, lances, and other weapons, wer