1/6 clapperton's second journey. 



covered with cotton cloth, imitating the colour and stripea 

 of the original. Though rather full in the body, it prer 

 sented very nearly the form, and imitated well the actions, 

 of that huge animal. The mouth was opened wide, pro- 

 bably by two hands, to devour a warrior armed with a sword, 

 who had come forth to contend with this formidable crea- 

 ture, and who struck it with repeated blows, till it writhed 

 in agony, and finally expired. Lastly, out of another sack 

 came the white devil, a meager, shivering figure, and so 

 painted as to represent an European. It took snuff, rubbed 

 its hands, and attempted, in the most awkward manner, to 

 walk on its naked feet. The audience, amid shouts of laugh- 

 ter, called the particular attention of the Captain to this per- 

 formance ; which being really good, he deemed it advisable 

 to join in the mirth. 



As soon as our traveller was fixed at Eyeo, he began to 

 negotiate in regard to the means of advancing into Houssa, 

 anxious to pass through that country and reach Bomou be- 

 fore the rains should set in. The king had professed a de- 

 termination to serve him in every shape ; but this proved to 

 be the very thing in which he was least inclined to fulfil his 

 promise. All African princes seek to make a monopoly of 

 the strangers who enter their teiTitory. It was hinted, that 

 one journey was well and fully employed in seeing the king- 

 dom of Yarriba and visiting its great monarch. Captain 

 Clapperton, having pleaded the positive command of his 

 sovereign, was then informed that the direct route through 

 Nyffe was much disturbed by civil war, the inroad of the 

 Fellatas, and the insurrection of a great body of Houssa 

 slaves, — ^reports suspected at the time to have been got up 

 merely to detain the travellers, but afterward found to 

 be correct. The king absolutely refused permission to pro- 

 ceed to Rakali, though situated on the Niger at the distance 

 of only three days' journey ; but he undertook to convey 

 them to Houssa by a safer though somewhat circuitous 

 route, through the kingdom of Borgoo. 



After passing through a number of smaller places, the 

 mission arrived at Kiaina, capital of a district of the same 

 name, and containing 30,000 inhabitants. Kiama, Wawa, 

 Niki, and Boussa are provinces composing the kingdom of 

 Borgoo, all subject in a certain sense to the sovereign of 

 Boussa ; but the diiferent cities plunder and make war on 



