114 THE OLD MALLAM. 



more than one at home : at which he seemed 

 much surprised, and exclaimed, " Never mind, 

 — I will give you that fine black-eyed girl for a 

 wife," (pointing to an interesting female about 

 ten years old,) " if you will only stay and live 

 with us. I have plenty of houses, cowries, slaves, 

 and bullocks, and plenty for all of you to eat." 



In this strain did the old Mallam talk for 

 some time, till, finding that all his persuasions 

 were unavailing, he said, " Well, if you will go 

 back to your own country, return again and 

 bring plenty of trade," (meaning an abundant 

 supply of goods,) " and stay at Egga until the 

 river falls again." This respectable old man ex- 

 pressed great regret on my leaving the place: 

 he had heard, he said, a great deal of white 

 men, — he should like to see them living in 

 his country, and he would preserve them from 

 all difficulties and dangers. 



At a short distance from the Mallam's, I 

 heard some smiths at work, and took an oppor- 

 tunity as I passed of inspecting the forge. There 

 were two fires, with a wall about four feet high. 

 The fires were placed on the inner side of the 

 wall, while a boy was working two goats'-skins 

 sewed together, one end terminating in a point. 



