Chai>. lxviii. excursion to ka'bara. 
473 
opportunity of observing the different aspect of the 
country two months after the date when I had first 
traversed it. In fact the landscape had now a very 
different appearance, being entirely changed in conse- 
quence of the abundant rains wmich had fallen in 
September and October. The whole sandy level, 
which before looked so dull and dreary, was now 
covered with herbage; while that part of the road 
nearer the town had been a little cleared of wood, 
apparently in order to prevent the Tawarek from 
lurking near the road and surprising travellers. 
Further on, when we approached the village of K&- 
bara, all the fields were overgrown with water-melons, 
which form a considerable branch of the industry of 
the inhabitants. 
We dismounted, at length, close to Kabara, in the 
shade of a talha tree, clearing the ground and making 
ourselves as comfortable as possible. A great number 
of people collected round us, not only from the village 
of Kabara, but also from the town ; even the governor, 
or emir, Kauri, came out to see what we were doing 
here. 
By way of making some sort of popular display, 
and showing his enemies the extent of his authority, 
my protector here distributed the presents which he 
had destined for Boy and his companions, who, before 
returning to their home in the province of Galaijo, 
were first going to pay their compliments to the 
sheikho A'hmedu in Hamda-Allahi. He also sent the 
very berniis which I had intended for e Abd e' Salam to 
