DENHAM AND CLAPPERTON 159 



was by no means scrupulous. They used, in particular, 

 the utmost diligence in stealing from Major Denham's per- 

 son every thing that could be reached, even searchmg the 

 pockets of his trousers ; and, v^'hen detected, only laughing, 

 and calling to each other how sharp he had shown himself. 

 But the darkest feature of savage life was disclosed, when 

 the sultan and his son each sent to solicit poison "that 

 would not lie," to be used against the other. The latter 

 even accompanied the request with a bribe of three lovely 

 black damsels, and laughed at the horror which was ex- 

 pressed at the proposal. 



The Loggunese live in a rich country, abounding in grain 

 and cattle, and diversified with forests of lofty acacias and 

 many beautiful shrubs. Its chief scourge consists in the 

 millions of tormenting insects which fill the atmosphere, 

 making it scarcely possible to go into the open air at mid- 

 day without being thrown into a fever ; indeed, children 

 have been known to be killed by their stings. The natives 

 have a mode of building one house within another to pro- 

 tect themselves against this scourge ; while some kindle a 

 large fire of wet straw and sit in the smoke : but this re- 

 medy, if it be possible, seems worse than the evil which it is 

 meant to obviate. 



Major Denham was much distressed on this journey by 

 the death of his companion Mr. Toole ; and he could no 

 longer delay his return when he learned that the Beghar- 

 mis, with a large army, were crossing the Shary to attack 

 Bornou. Soon after his arrival at Kouka the sheik led out 

 his troops, which he mustered on the plain of Angala, and 

 was there furiously attacked by 5000 Begharmis, led by 200 

 chiefs. The Begharmi cavalry are mdividually strong and 

 fierce, and both riders and horses still more thoroughly cased 

 in mail than those of Bornou ; but their courage, when 

 brought to the proof, is nearly on a level. The sheik en- 

 countered them with his Kanemboo spearmen and a small 

 band of musketeers, when, after a sharp conflict, the whole 

 of this mighty host was thrown into the most disorderly 

 flight ; even the Bornou cavalry jouied in the pursuit. 

 Seven sons of the sultan and almost all the chiefs fell ; 

 two hundred of their favourite wives were taken, many of 

 whom were of exquisite beauty. 



Mr. Tyrwliit, a gentleman whom his majesty's govern- 



