THE king's houses. 57 



in number (eacli of which is surmounted by an 

 ostrich's egg), and are situate about a mile and 

 a half from the water-side, and inclosed by a 

 very high wall, constructed of mud and red sand. 

 After passing through several apartments, we 

 were ushered into a very naked and comfortless 

 room, in one corner of which stood the very 

 identical white steed which we saw as we ap- 

 proached Rabbah the morning before. The 

 outer apartment was the palaver-house, where 

 the chiefs and princes assemble. As we passed 

 through it, there were upwards of one hundred, 

 seated cross-legged, a la Turqiie, together with a 

 great number of Arabs. They appeared to be 

 respectably dressed, and all of them wore a piece 

 of white muslin around their heads, one end of 

 which they brought round over the mouth, and 

 left nothing but the eyes exposed, as mentioned 

 by former travellers. 



We were much disppointed by the appearance 

 of the king, and it was not until a considerable 

 time had elapsed that we could discover which 

 really was his majesty. At first we were told 

 that the person before us was the " king's 

 mouth ;" but at length we discovered his sable 

 majesty in the person of Osiman, son of Mallam 



