CONFIDENCE OF THE NATIVES. 39 



tion ; which was done. I gave the king such 

 medicines as I considered applicable and requi- 

 site for his case, with particular directions to 

 his head Mallam how to use them. Ederesa was 

 particularly desirous of obtaining relief, and 

 promised me a slave if I could effect his cure. 

 I told him this was unnecessary, but that I would 

 accept a horse, which he promised to send to 

 Rabbah in a fortnight. 



It was extremely gratifying to our feelings to 

 observe the great confidence that the natives 

 reposed in us, and we thought it augured well 

 for the ultimate success of the expedition. We 

 were informed that the Felatah tax-gatherer, or 

 collector, had received the half-yearly taxes of 

 Egga, amounting to sixty thousand cowries. 



Our average course to-day was west by north ; 

 the soundings varying from two to seven fathoms. 

 The island off which we had anchored near 

 Egga town is about three miles and a half long : 

 it extends far above the town, to a short distance 

 below it. Between it and Egga is a creek well 

 filled with water. 



At 10 p. M. we passed a large town situate on 

 the left bank, named Fofo, about twelve hundred 

 yards long, and thickly populated. The river 



