1.14 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LVI 
eight miles we traversed the site of a deserted town 
called Takabawa, inclosed between rocky cliffs on 
all sides, and at present changed into a large cotton- 
ground, the inhabitants having sought refuge in the 
more rocky district towards the south. But although 
the destructive influence which war had exercised 
upon this province was plainly manifested by the site 
of another town which we passed soon afterwards, 
yet the country was not quite deserted, and even 
small herds of cattle were observed further on. Mean- 
while the dum palm became entirely predominant, 
and rocky cliffs and eminences continued to break the 
surface ; but beyond a rocky ridge which, dotted with 
an abundance of monkev-bread trees, crossed our 
path, the country became more level and open, 
enlivened by herds, and exhibiting an uninterrupted 
tract of cultivation. 
Thus we reached the walls of the considerable 
town of Zekka, and here again we had to make our 
way with difficulty through the moats which started 
off from the walls as a sort of outwork, when we 
pitched our tent on the west side, in the shade of 
two large dor6wa trees. Even here I did not choose 
to take up my quarters inside the town, which was 
full of people. Besides those detachments which 
had come along with us, there arrived here also an 
auxiliary troop of 110 horse from Zariya, together 
with the governor of U'mmadaii with twenty horse- 
men. The Ivan aw a, or people of Kano, who were 
proceeding to Sokoto, had continued their march 
