160 DENHAM AND CLAPPERTON. 



ment had sent out to strengthen the party, arrived on the 

 20th May, and on the 22d, delivered to the sheik a number 

 of presents, which were received with the highest satisfac- 

 tion. In company with this gentleman, Major Denham, 

 eager to explore Africa still further, took advantage of an- 

 other expedition undertaken against the tribe of Shouaa 

 Arabs, distinguished by the name of La Sala, — a race of 

 amphibious shepherds who inhabit certain islands that ex- 

 tend along the south-eastern shores of the Tchad. These 

 spots afford rich pasture ; while the water is so shallow, 

 that, by knowing the channels, the natives can ride without 

 difficulty from one island to the other. Barca Gana led a 

 thousand men on this expedition, and was joined by 400 of 

 a Shouaa tribe, called Dugganahs, enemies to the La Salas. 

 These allies presented human nature under a more pleasing 

 aspect than it had yet been seen in any part of Central 

 Africa. They despise the negro nations, and all who live in 

 houses, and still more in cities ; while they themselves re- 

 side in tents made of skin, collected into circular camps, 

 which they move periodically from place to place. They 

 live in simple plenty on the produce of their flocks and 

 herds, celebrate their joys and sorrows in extemporary 

 poetry, and seem to be united by the strongest ties of domes- 

 tic affection. Tahr, their chief, having closely examined 

 our traveller as to the motives of his journey, said, " And 

 have you been three years from your home 1 Are not your 

 eyes dimmed with straining to the north, where all your 

 thoughts must ever be 1 If my eyes do not see the wife 

 and children of my heart for ten days, they are flowing with 

 tear's when they should be closed in sleep." On taking 

 leave, Tahr's parting wish was, " May you die at your own 

 tents, and in the arms of your wife and family." This chief, 

 it is said, might have sat for the picture of a patriarch : his 

 fine, serious, expressive countenance, large features, and long 

 bushy beard afforded a favourable specimen of the general 

 aspect of his tribe. 



The united forces now marched to the shores of the 

 lake, and began to reconnoitre the islands on which the 

 Shouaas with their cattle and cavalry were stationed ; but 

 the experienced eye of Barca Gana soon discerned that the 

 channel, though shallow, was full of holes, and had a 

 iDuddy, deceitful appearance. He proposed, thereforcj to 



