DENHAM AND CtAPPERTON. 147 



'Stood out against this nefarious proposal ; but the sheik, 

 who also had his own views, took part against him ; even 

 his own brother joined the malecontents, and at length there 

 appeared no other mode in which he could return with 

 equal credit and profit. Influenced by these inducements, 

 he suflfered his better judgment to be overpowered, and de- 

 termined to conduct his troop upon this perilous and 

 guilty excursion. Major Denham, allowing his zeal for 

 discovery to overcome other considerations, contrived, not- 

 withstanding the prohibition of the sheik, to be one of the 

 party. They were accompanied by Barca Gana, the prin- 

 cipal general, a negro of huge strength and great courage, 

 along with other warriors, and a large body of Bornou 

 cavalry. These last are a fine military body in point of ex- 

 ternal appearance. Their persons are covered with iron, 

 plate and mail, and they manage, with surprising dexterity, 

 their little active steeds, which are also supplied with de- 

 fensive armour. They have one fault only, but that a se- 

 rious one, — ^they cannot stand the shock of an enemy. 

 While the contest continues doubtful, they hover round as 

 spectators, ready, should the tide turn against them, to spur 

 on their coursers to a rapid flight ; but if they see their 

 friends victorious, and the enemy turning their backs, they 

 come forward and display no small vigour in pursuit and 

 plunder. 



The road that led to Mandara formed a continued ascent 

 through a fertile country which contained some populous 

 towns. The path being quite overgrown with thick and 

 prickly underwood, twelve pioneers went forward with long 

 poles, opening a track, pushing back the branches, and 

 giving warning to beware of holes. These operations they 

 accompanied with loud praises of Barca Gana, calling out, 

 — " Who is in battle like the rolling of thunder ] Barca 

 Gana. In battle, who spreads terror around him like the 

 bufllalo in his rage 1 Barca Gana." Even the chiefs on this 

 expedition carried no provisions except a paste of rice, flour, 

 and honey, with which they contented themselves, unless 

 when sheep could be procured ; in which case half the ani- 

 mal, roasted over a frame-work of wood, was placed on the 

 table, and the sharpest dagger present was employed in cut- 

 ting it into large pieces, to be eaten without bread or salt. 

 At length they approached Mora, the capital of Mandara. 



