352 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXTII. 
had likewise to send a present to a Tarki chief at 
some distance, in order to take every precaution 
recommended to me by my companion to insure my 
safety, although I felt certain that he himself applied 
the greater portion to his own use. It was thus that 
my supplies rapidly disappeared, and I had a fair 
prospect, if this state of things should continue for 
any length of time, of arriving in Timbuktu greatly 
lightened. We were however hospitably treated by 
our hosts, and were even regaled with the uncom- 
mon luxury of a large dish of " megata," a sort of 
maccaroni, prepared from wheat with a rich seasoning 
of butter, and famous since the time of El Bekri. As 
a proof that we were approaching Timbuktu, I may 
mention that the people of this encampment were 
extremely anxious to get a sip of tea, which they 
called the water of Simsirn, from the celebrated well 
of that name in Mekka. Another of my camels being 
knocked up, I here exchanged it for four bulls, one 
of which was fit for carrying burdens, being equal in 
value to two or three of the others ; but I had after- 
wards a keen dispute on account of this bargain, the 
camel having subsequently died. 
On setting out from this encampment, we 
August 17th. i*i it 
kept at nrst a little more westward, thus 
leaving the district of Bansena, which formerly seems 
to have been of some importance, to the north, in 
order to avoid the encampment of 1'so, a brother of 
Somki, who had sent a messenger the preceding day 
in order to invite us to pay him a visit. The district 
