16 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXXVIII. 
the last journey, though it was not yet fit for another, 
proceeded in the morning to the eastern town or 
" billa gedibe," the great thoroughfare being crowded 
with men on foot and horseback, passing to and fro, all 
dressed in their best. It had been reported that the 
sheikh was to say his prayers in the mosque, but we 
soon discovered that he was to pray outside the 
town, as large troops of horsemen were leaving it 
through the north gate or " chinnayalabe." In order 
to become aware of the place where the ceremony was 
going on, I rode to the vizier's house and met him 
just as he came out, mounted on horseback, and 
accompanied by a troop of horsemen. 
At the same time several cavalcades were seen com- 
ing from various quarters, consisting of the kashellas, or 
officers, each with his squadron, of from a hundred to 
two hundred horsemen, all in the most gorgeous attire, 
particularly the heavy cavalry ; the greater part being 
dressed in a thick stuffed coat called " degibbir," and 
wearing over it several tobes of all sorts of colours 
and designs, and having their heads covered with the 
"buge" or casque, made very nearly like those of 
our knights in the middle age, but of lighter metal, 
and ornamented with most gaudy feathers. Their 
horses were covered all over with the thick clothing 
called "Hbbedi," with various coloured" stripes, con- 
sisting of three pieces, and leaving nothing but the 
feet exposed, the front of the head being protected 
and adorned by a metal plate. Others were dressed 
in a coat of mail, " sfllege," and the other kind 
