Chap. LXV. ENTRANCE INTO TIMBUKTU. 
405 
so that I could with difficulty make a suitable answer 
to his compliment ; but avoiding farther indiscreet 
questions, I pushed on in order to get under safe 
cover. 
Having then traversed the rubbish which has accu- 
mulated round the ruined clay wall of the town, and 
left on one side a row of dirty reed huts which en- 
compass the whole of the place, we entered the narrow 
streets and lanes, or, as the people of Timbuktu say, 
the tijeraten, which scarcely allowed two horses to 
proceed abreast. But I was not a little surprised at 
the populous and wealthy character which this 
quarter of the town, the Sane-Giingu, exhibited, 
many of the houses rising to the height of two stories, 
and in their facade evincing even an attempt at archi- 
tectural adornment. Thus, taking a more westerly 
turn, and followed by a numerous troop of people, 
we passed the house of the Sheikh El Bakay, where I 
was desired to tire a pistol ; but as 1 had all my arms 
loaded with ball I prudently declined to do so, and 
left it to one of my people to do honour to the house 
of our host. We thus reached the house on the other 
side of the street, which was destined for my re- 
sidence, and I was glad when I found myself safely in 
my new quarters. 
But before describing my residence in this town, I 
shall make a few general remarks with regard to 
the history of Songhay and Timbuktu. 
I) D 3 
