220 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LIX. 
of the country and the native inhabitants the Dendi, 
who, favoured by the weakness of the government 
of their oppressors, had risen to assert their in- 
dependence ; and I could scarcely feel dissatisfied 
with my host when, after the first signs of hospitality 
which he had shown me, he left us to provide for 
our own wants, although we had some difficulty in 
procuring a sufficient supply of corn. I was very 
sorry that, owing to the unfavourable circumstances 
of the whole country, I was prevented from visit- 
ing the town of Bunza (which is situated south from 
Zogirma), on account of its interesting and important 
situation as regards the intercourse with Niipe on 
the lower part of the gulbi, where it is still navi- 
gable, and the number of deleb palms which are said 
to adorn it. There was also residing in this place 
a man whom I should like to have visited, inas- 
much as he is reported to possess a great knowledge 
of the history of the Kanta, and of the relations of 
the province of Kebbi to the neighbouring countries. 
His name is Mallem Mahamiidu. 
Thursday, We were to start the following day, in 
June 9th. 0T ^ eY t 0 allow our camels some rest before 
entering the unsafe wilderness ; but in the course 
of the morning the news suddenly arrived that a 
party of Tawarek, with about forty camels besides 
bullocks and asses, had arrived at the neighbouring 
town of Tilli on their way to Fogha, thus affording 
us the opportunity of traversing the wilderness with 
some degree of security. It was therefore decided 
