189 
CHAP. LVIIL 
STATE OF INSECURITY ALONG THE MOST FREQUENTED HIGHROAD, — 
GANDO. 
At length I was able to pursue my journey, Sunday, 
which now, as soon as T had passed Sokoto, May 8th> 
was to lead me into almost unknown regions, never 
trodden by European foot. 
I was escorted out of the town, in grand style, by 
the ghaladima with six horsemen, and then pursued 
my former track to Sokoto, the character of which was 
but little changed, on account of the vegetation 
having only just begun to be vivified and restored by 
the first showers of the rainy season. The little 
stream which skirts the foot of the hill on which the 
town of Sokoto is situated, and where we had watered 
our horses on our former excursion, now began 
gradually to increase, although as yet it exhibited 
but few signs of that considerable volume which I 
found here on my home journey the next year. 
I was lodged in my old quarters, in the house of 
the ghaladima, and was treated by my old friends 
Modibo l Ali and Said with great hospitality. Al- 
though most anxious, on account of the season, to 
continue my journey with the shortest possible delay, 
