80 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



get some of the battle-axes which among these tribes are used 

 both by men and women. The shape of the head bears a 

 curious resemblance to the conventionalised Egyptian lotus, 

 possibly the idea for this design was got from their neighbours 

 and constant invaders, the Fulani. 



From this place we had a very fine view of the main range 

 and easily recognised the principal peak which we had 

 observed from Ibi. We found that the Montoil name for 

 this was Mount Madong. To the west lay a valley, beyond 

 which the range was continued, and, to the left of this, a 

 remarkable rock which we had before noticed, was now 

 clearly to be seen. The Hausa name for it is Mata Fada — 

 the fallen mother, as they imagine that its outline somewhat 

 resembles that of the breast of some beneficent goddess of 

 the hills. This rock is too noticeable to be overlooked by 

 any one passing through Yelua. Seen from a short distance, 

 it is a sheer pinnacle of enormous size. The resemblance of 

 the Hausa " Mata " for Mother, is so close to the Indo- 

 European word, that it is only another indication of their 

 eastern origin. 



On May 9 we set out straight for Mount Madong, and after 

 two hours' march through a well- cultivated country thickly 

 dotted with hamlets, from which, however, all the inhabitants 

 had fled before us, we arrived near the foot of the mountain. 

 The column then halted, and I went on ahead with two 

 soldiers to reconnoitre the western flank, and see if it appeared 

 more accessible than the part which now faced us. It was 

 a good thing that the soldiers were with me, as, when we 

 came into the valley which is surrounded by hills on all sides, 

 except at the narrow entrance, we found Montoils posted 



