Chap. LVI. 
SANSA'NNE e Al'SA. 
129 
against the Goherawa and Mariyadawa, rendered it 
essential that it should be strong enough by its 
own resources to offer a long resistance ; and it has 
in consequence become a walled town of considera- 
ble importance, so that travellers generally take this 
roundabout way, with a strong northerly deviation. 
Here also the wall is surrounded with a dense forest, 
affording a sort of natural fortification. 
Having entered the town and convinced myself 
of its confined and cheerless character, I resolved 
even here to encamp outside, though at consider- 
able risk ; and I went to the well, which was about 
half a mile distant to the south, and, being five fa- 
thoms in depth, contained a rich supply of excellent 
water. Here a small caravan of people from A'dar, 
laden with corn and about to return to their native 
home, were encamped ; and I pitched my tent on an 
open spot, close to some light cottages of Itfsan set- 
tlers, who immediately brought me a little -fresh 
cheese as a specimen of their industry, and were 
well satisfied with a present which I made them in 
return, of a few razors and looking-glasses. These 
Tawarek are scattered over the whole of Western 
Sudan, not only frequenting those localities occa- 
sionally as traders, but even sometimes settled with 
their wives and children. Their women also did not 
fail to pay us a visit in the afternoon ; for they are 
extremely curious and fond of strangers. 
When I had made myself comfortable, I received a 
visit from the ghaladima of the town ; he brought 
VOL. IV. K 
