86 THE ARMY 



On our first visit, it was a matter of some 

 difficulty to ascertain who was really king, owing 

 to the African policy of concealing him from 

 strangers until their views and intentions are 

 known to be peaceful. In pursuing this custom 

 several persons are represented as chiefs and 

 equal in power to the king, in order to procure 

 presents for each, which are generally divid- 

 ed among them, the king invariably having the 

 advantage. Osiman the present king was son 

 to Mallam Dendo, a very aged man: he was 

 reported to be a great and successful warrior, 

 and appeared to be respected by his soldiers. 



Rabbah is tributary to Sultan Bello of Socca- 

 too, who occasionally sends soldiers to assist 

 the Rabbah army in plundering excursions. 

 King Osiman frequently urged the necessity of 

 our going to Soccatoo overland, to visit Bello, 

 who, he assured us, " would be glad to see us and 

 give us anything our hearts wished for." The 

 King of Rabbah can command five thousand 

 cavalry and twenty thousand infantry. He is 

 daily purchasing horses to add to his troops, who 

 are armed with poisoned arrows and spears, 

 which they hurl with unerring aim a considera- 

 ble distance. The soldiers also wear knives 



