ere they now were, was the
famous Bocqua market place, of which they had heard so much talk, and
that the opposite bank of the river belonged to the Funda country.
Their interpreter was an old Funda mallam, who understood the Houssa
language perfectly, and was come to Bocqua to attend the market,
which was held every nine days. The old mallam was asked the distance
from Bocqua to the sea, and he told them about ten days journey. The
Landers then pointed out the hills on the opposite side of the river,
and asked him, where they led to. "The sea," was his answer. "And
where do they lead to?" they inquired, pointing to those on the same
bank of the river as themselves. He answered, "They run along way in
the country we do not know." Their next concern was about the safety
of the river navigation, and they anxiously inquired his opinion of
it lower down, and whether there were any rocks or dangerous places.
As to the river navigation, he satisfied them by saying, that he knew
of no dangers, nor had he ever heard of any, but the people on the
banks, he said, were very bad. They asked him, if he thought the
chief would send a messenger with them, if they were to request him,
even one day's journey from this place. Without the least hesitation,
he answered: "No; the people of this country can go no further down
the river; if they do, and are caught, they will lose their heads."
Every town that he knew of on the banks of the river, was at war with
its neighbour, and all the rest likewise. They then asked him how far
Bornou was from Funda. To which, he replied, "Fifteen days journey."
Here their conversation was interrupted by the old chief, who wished
to return to the village, and the mallam was obliged to accompany
him. They likewise learnt from other persons, that directly opposite,
on the eastern bank, was the common path to the city of Funda, which,
as they had been told at Fof, was situated three days journey up the
Tshadda from the Niger; that the large river which they had observed
on their course, was the celebrated Shar, Shary, or Sharry of
travellers, or which is more proper than either, the Tshadda, as it
is universally called throughout the country. They were also informed
that the smaller stream which they passed on the 19th, flowing from
the same direction, was the _Coodania_.

On Wednesday the 27th October, they made preparations for starting,
and after experiencing rather hostile treatment from the natives,
the