A TREK THROUGH BORNU 247 



Those there were formed a guard to the Shehu, and 

 looked imposing in their uniforms of white and red, 

 though in one case green instead of white trousers 

 peeped below the riga. 



The Shehu's little heir, Kiari, looked very dignified, 

 in the middle of a wing of horsemen, with his imme- 

 diate bodyguard of eight or nine men clad in coats 

 of chain-armour. He was dressed in a yellow robe, 

 and held a small gun in his hand, its stock resting 

 on the broad shovel-shaped stirrup. 



The Shehu is a tall, pleasant-looking man, and, as at 

 Tchekna and Gulfei, a huge parasol was held above 

 him. His silver tissue dress was magnificent, and he 

 wore a black-and-gold scarf over his head. 



It was a fine sight to see these gorgeously apparelled 

 men, each holding his spear, file past the General. 

 Each dignitary of war or state headed his own 

 cavalcade, and in an honourable position amongst 

 them was the medicine-man. 



The General's visit was in every way satisfactory. 

 He was delighted with the efficiency of the troops 

 under Captain West's command, and he afibrded us 

 the chance of seeing the Shehu, as also of renewing 

 our friendship with Major Rose, who had come 

 north from Lokoja to escort the General round the 

 district. 



Major Rose very kindly lent me a pony, as mine had 

 collapsed under its week of holiday, or, to be more 

 accurate, under its groom's holiday, for a sore back 

 could not have come except by miracle to an unridden 

 horse. Mr Talbot's boy was convicted of the offence 

 of which mine also must have been guilty, for while 

 riding his master's animal it kicked and pitched him 



