184 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LVII. 
of which had previously placed themselves under the 
protection of the enemy; but even this insignificant 
victory he had only achieved through the bravery of 
the horsemen from Katsena, while his own men had, 
as usual, exhibited the greatest cowardice. As long 
as the Fiilbe do not defeat the host of the Goberawa, 
who take the field every year and offer them battle, 
the state of this empire will become daily worse and 
worse, while at present each of the two parties, the 
indigenous inhabitants as well as the conquerors, do 
nothing but accelerate the ruin of the country, with- 
out dealing a decided blow. 
Although I had made the chief a very respectable 
present on my first arrival, I thought it well to give 
greater impulse to his friendly disposition towards 
me, by adding something also this time, presenting 
him with a cloth waistcoat and several smaller arti- 
cles, besides a musical box, with the performance of 
which he was extremely pleased ; but unfortunately, 
when, anxious to impart his delight to his greatest 
friend and principal minister, e Abdu the son of Ge- 
dado, he had called the latter to witness this wonder, 
the mysterious box, affected by the change of climate 
and the jolting of the long journey, was silent for a 
moment, and would not play. I may observe here, 
that I think it better for travellers not to make such 
presents as musical boxes, which so easily get out of 
order. The sultan fully granted my request for a 
speedy departure, promising also to assist me in my 
dangerous undertaking with a small u rekkia " or 
