416 SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 



an elephant. It so happened that I did not know 

 the meaning of the word "feel," which is the 

 Arabic term for elephant, and as I hesitated in 

 replying, Ebin Izaak, supposing I had never seen 

 or heard of one, pointing to a large mimosa-tree, 

 informed me, it was a cow as high as that; 

 whilst another, with the butt-end of his spear, drew 

 a circle on the ground, having a diameter of about 

 six feet, and swore positively that was the size of the 

 animal's foot. Such is the information we generally 

 get from natives ; and whether in natural history 

 or geography, a traveller must exercise great 

 caution, in noting down accounts or descriptions 

 which he receives. A native said this, and a native 

 said that, is the cause of all the confusion that 

 exists, upon many important questions connected 

 with central Africa. A little penetration will 

 always determine the value of the communication, 

 by the character of the individual who gives it, for 

 mental ability and veracity, and if these can be 

 depended upon, it is worse than useless, to entertain 

 other and conflicting reports, of known fools and 

 liars. 



The evening that Ohmed Medina returned, a 

 large calahm was held. After a long discussion, it 

 was determined we should proceed the next day, 

 whether the expected Hy Soumaulee Kafilah came 

 or not; and although an opposition calahm was 

 held at the same time by the escort, who naturally 

 favoured their friends, I could see that it was finally 



