238 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



sides shining brightly in the sun that gave it the more im- 

 posing appearance. A Httle farther on a whole fleet of them 

 came into view. They were evidently busy at their fish- 

 drying, for smoke curled up from fires in their prows, while 

 great strips of fish were drying on wooden frame -works 

 fixed round the gunwales. On catching sight of us they 

 scattered and disappeared. At Kaddai the Budumas of the 

 fish market were very friendly and brought us presents of 

 fish. They did not seem at all averse to the idea of seeing 

 more of us later on, and we left early next morning with 

 friendly handshakes all round. By four o'clock, before we 

 got into Bre, the carriers were suffering much from thirst, 

 so I sent Jose on to fill a couple of water skins and bring 

 them back to us while we rested by the wayside. He returned 

 in a few hours with a mounted messenger from the Shehu 

 bearing a letter from Goshng with the news that my brother 

 was now dangerously ill. Therefore I determined to push 

 on to Maifoni as fast as possible, and started at once for 

 Kukawa with Jose and Lowi, leaving the carriers to follow 

 with the transport next day. 



The way seemed interminable for we were very weary, 

 but at length on gaining the rising ground about three miles 

 from the town, our spirits revived as our eyes beheld the warm 

 glow of the fires of Kukawa. We got in at midnight, and I at 

 once went to the Shehu's palace and sent in a most urgent 

 message to ask if I could be given fresh horses. Whereupon, 

 the Shehu himself came out and we met informally in the 

 dark. While we were waiting to hear if horses could be got, 

 he proffered me sweets from a bag he was carrying. I found 

 them rather nasty but I coidd not refuse, as he was so pressing. 



