308 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LXII. 
on the south of the I'sa, or so-called Niger, as an equi- 
valent to Gurrna. 
I had been very anxious to conceal the more valu- 
able articles of my property from the prying eyes of 
my clever but greedy Arab companion ; but the fol- 
lowing day, as I was obliged to dry some of my lug- 
gage, which had been completely soaked, he got a 
peep at some fine Dermises which I had with me ; and, 
in order to satisfy his covetousness, I thought it 
prudent to make him here a handsome present. Al- 
together my luggage suffered severely from the many 
watercourses which we had to cross at this stage of 
my journey, as well as from the excessive dampness 
of the weather. I also made some presents to the 
governor, but was rather astonished when, on setting 
out, he begged from me the very tobe which I was 
then wearing. 
Wednesday, The country which we had to traverse was 
July 27th. diversified by small granitic ranges and de- 
tached cones ; but it also afforded many localities for 
swampy grounds, very difficult to be crossed. In 
some places beans were cultivated besides millet. We 
encamped at length, after a march of about fifteen 
miles, in the midst of the forest, on the site of a 
former village, which was richly overgrown with the 
most succulent herbage, very grateful both to horse 
and camel. 
Thursday, We had had some summer lightning in the 
July 28th. gyening^ followed by slight rain during the 
night ; but about half- past six o'clock in the morning, 
