Chap. XXXIX. CROSSING THE RIVER. 
41 
embellish the northern border of the river. The 
horses followed next, and lastly we ourselves with 
the luggage. 
About nine o'clock in the morning I found my- 
self upon the river on my three-yoked " makara," 
gliding through the stream in a rather irregular 
style of motion, according as the frail ferry-boat 
was drawn or pushed by the two black swimmers 
yoked to it.- It was a beautiful day, and the scenery 
highly interesting; but, having been exposed to the 
sun all the morning, I was glad to find a little 
shade. When all the party had successively landed, 
and the heat of the day had abated, we loaded our 
camels and commenced our march. We were now 
left entirely to the security and protection which our 
own arms might afford us ; for all the country to 
the north of the komadugu has become the domain 
of freebooters, and though nominally sheikh 'Omar's 
dominion stretches as far as Beri, and even beyond 
that place, nevertheless his name is not respected 
here, except where supported by arms. 
The country through which we were passing bore 
the same character as that for some miles round the 
capital 5 a very stiff, black soil, clothed with short grass 
and a few trees far between. Having encountered 
a flock of sheep, our friends gave chase ; and after 
they had laid hold of three fat rams, we decided to 
encamp. 
Tuesday, -^ or * ne ^ rst f° ur noiirs of our march the 
Sept. 23rd. c h arac t- er 0 f the surrounding country re- 
mained nearly the same ; it then opened, and became 
