VISITED BY MALLAMS AND NATIVES. 27 



and repairing others which had suffered from the 

 violence of the pitiless Felatahs. The town is 

 named Habuka ; at the back part of it are seve- 

 ral palm-trees, and in the distance a beautiful 

 open country, thinly wooded. 



For the last two hours our course had been 

 north and north-by-east. This morning, about 

 1 A.M. it commenced raining, and continued to 

 do so until 2 p. m., after which time the weather 

 became clear. 



A number of natives lined the bank of the 

 river, who, as the vessel approached them, fell 

 upon their knees. Our interpreter hailed them, 

 and was answered, that they came to see the people 

 of God, A large canoe was now seen approach- 

 ing from a distance, containing nearly forty per- 

 sons, several of whom were Mallams. When near 

 the vessel, the Mallams and natives in front fell 

 down on their knees, exclaiming, " Allah um de 

 le la fee ! Allah um de le la fee ! " (God is great, 

 and God preserve you !) They continued re- 

 peating extracts from the Koran as they drew 

 nearer ; and when the Mallams in the front had 

 knelt, those behind them fell down in the same 

 manner. It was an extraordinary sight, and 

 produced a strange but very pleasing effect. 



