388 JOURNEY TO THE COAST. Chap. XIX 



account of our exhausted state ; I and Igala had 

 suffered the most, and this welcome rest was necessary 

 to us. The chmate is much warmer in the valley 

 of the Ngouyai ; and during our stay we could see 

 dark clouds gathering over the Ashango Mountains, 

 sure signs that the rainy season was near at hand. 

 The A ponos said that within a month the rains 

 would come. 



On the 13th of August, at daylight, we left Nchi- 

 engain's village for Mayolo. I am not sure, how- 

 ever, about the day, for I had missed my reckoning. 

 Since my sextant was lost on the first day of the re- 

 treat from Mouaou Kombo, I have of course taken no 

 observations, which used to enable me, by the help of 

 the ' Nautical Almanack,' to know the day of the 

 month. No Apono people accompanied us, and we 

 were attended only by two of Mayolo's sons and one 

 of his people, who came to Nchiengain's to meet us. 

 At half past seven a.m. we reached the river Dooya, 

 which is at this season the only stream on the road 

 that is not dried up ; we therefore stopped here for 

 breakfast, although it was so much earlier than the 

 hour at which we usually took that meal. We reached 

 Mayolo in the afternoon. Old Mayolo came to meet 

 us attended by a crowd of villagers ; he was looking 

 plump and hearty. Presents were made to me of a 

 native cap and several bongos ; this is a custom with 

 this people when they wish to welcome a friend who 

 has returned safe from a long journey. I found that 

 the small-pox had again made its appearance in 

 Mayolo in the height of the dry season; and, as 

 Rapelina, one of my Commi men, had not had the 



