158 DENHAM AND CLAPPERTON. 



he set out on the 23d January, 1824, in company with Mr. 

 Toole, a spirited young volunteer, who, journeying by way 

 of Tripoli and Mourzouk, had thence crossed the Desert to 

 join him. The travellers passed through Angomou and 

 Angala, and arrived at Showy, where they saw the river, 

 which really proved to be a magnificent stream, fully half a 

 mile broad, and flowing at the rate of two or three miles an 

 hour. They descended it through a succession of noble 

 reaches, bordered with fine woods, and a profusion of vari- 

 ously-tinted and aromatic plants. At length it opened into 

 the wide expanse of the Tchad ; after viewing which, they 

 again ascended and reached the capital of Loggun, beneath 

 whose high walls the river was seen flowing in majestic 

 beauty. Major Denham entered, and found a handsome 

 city, with a street as wide as Pall- Mall, and bordered by 

 large dwellings, having spacious areas in front. He was 

 led through several dark rooms into a wide and crowded 

 court, at one end of which a lattice opened, and showed a 

 pile of silk robes stretched on a carpet, amid which two 

 eyes became gradually visible : this was the sultan. On 

 his appearance there arose a tumult of honis and frum- 

 frums ; while all the attendants threw themselves prostrate, 

 casting sand on their heads. In a voice which the court- 

 fashion of Loggun required to be scarcely audible, the mo- 

 narch inquired Major Denham's object in coming to this 

 countr}^ observing that if it was to purchase handsome female^ 

 slaves, he need go no farther, smce he himself had hun- 

 dreds who could be afibrded at a very easy rate. This 

 overture was rejected on other grounds than the price ; yet, 

 notwithstanding so decided a proof of barbarism, the Log- 

 gunese were found a people more advanced in the arts of 

 pe.vce than any hitherto seen in Africa. By a studied neu- 

 trality, they had avoided involving themselves in the dread- 

 ful wars which had desolated the neighbouring countries. 

 Manufacturing industry was honoured, and the cloths 

 woven here were superior to those of Bornou, being finely 

 died with indigo and beautifully glazed. There was even 

 a current coin made of iron, somewhat in the form of a 

 horse-shoe ; and rude as this was, none of their neighbours 

 possessed any thing similar. The ladies were handsome, 

 intelligent, and of a lively air and carriage ; but, besides 

 pii/?hing their frankness to excess, their general demeanour 



