Chap. XL. 
LARGE DESERTION. 
75 
have a scrupulous regard to our wishes and designs 
in arranging their affairs. It was quite evident that 
their proceeding was the mere effect of a stubborn sense 
of independence, and jealousy ; and it seemed to be 
done in open opposition to the wish of their young 
chief. About one o'clock in the afternoon they left; 
and we forwarded a short note with them expressive 
of our dissatisfaction at this state of things, which 
filled us with the saddest forebodings as to the success 
of our mission. 
But while thus disappointed in more important 
matters, we felt tolerably well off in material com- 
forts ; for in the morning a party of Fugabu 
arrived with a number of sheep for sale, selling 
two for a dollar, and thus enabled us to gratify 
the religious longing of our servants for an extra 
dish on this their holiday. In the course of the 
evening, a numerous caravan of oxen laden with 
grain, or rather negro-millet, arrived from Bornu, 
which made provisions a little cheaper. The grain 
grown in the country, in its present wild and de- 
solate state, is not sufficient for the population, 
though so greatly reduced ; and the last season had 
been rather an unfavourable one. In consequence 
of the arrival of this caravan, we not only had the op- 
portunity of buying corn at a cheaper rate, but we 
also got some from the chief as a present. 
Everything in Kanem is bought with the common 
white Bornu shirts, which form the general dress of 
the people, black tobes being worn only by richer per- 
