22 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXXVIII. 
Sultan of Bagirmi to the chiefs of the Tademekket 
and Awelimmiden near Timbuktu. His colour was 
a shade of gray, with beautiful light leopardlike spots, 
and the Kanuri were not unanimous with regard to 
the name which they gave it, some calling it " sheg- 
gara," while others thought the name " keri sas- 
sarandi " more suitable to it. In the company of 
mares, he was incapable of walking quietly, but kept 
playing in order to show himself off to advantage. 
The Bornu horses in general are very spirited and 
fond of prancing. He was an excellent " kerisa" or 
marcher, and " doy " or swift in the extreme, but 
very often lost his start by his playfulness. Of his 
strength, the extent of the journeys which he made 
with me bears ample .testimony, particularly if the 
warlike, scientific, and victualling stores which I used 
to carry with me are taken into account. He was a 
" ngirma," but not of the largest size. Mr. Overweg's 
horse was almost half a hand higher; but while mine 
was a lion in agility, my companion's horse was not 
unlike a hippopotamus in plumpness. 
With such a horse, I prepared cheerfully for my 
next expedition, which I regarded in the light both 
of an undertaking in the interests of science, and as 
a medicinal course for restoring my health, which 
threatened to succumb in the unhealthy region of 
Kukawa. Besides two Fezzani lads, I had taken into 
my service two Arabs belonging to the tribe of the 
Welad Sliman, and whose names were Bii-Zed and 
Hasen ben Har. 
