126 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XLII, 
expedition to Mandard, remained without a weapon 
in his hand. However, he was of opinion that at 
present, with such a large army, no danger of this 
kind was to be feared. He showed me also, in the 
most flattering manner, that he had imitated my 
example of having my chronometer continually girded 
around my waist ; and he assured me that he found it 
very convenient. 
The troop was here proceeding in stately order, 
and a broad line of battle deployed, one officer, with 
the title of jerma, riding in advance, and being followed 
by the four fan-bearers of the sheikh, in full array ; 
but a little farther on, a small tract of underwood 
compelled them to change their order of march, and 
proceed in one long line. The vizier was kind enough 
to send me a message to the effect that I had better 
get in front, so as not to be in the midst of the con- 
fusion. 
The place of encampment was chosen on the north- 
west side of the town of Marte ; and when the sheikh 
had dismounted, in order to take possession of the 
mat house which had been prepared for him, the 
whole host of cavalry galloped up in the fiercest 
manner, before I was able to get out of their way, so 
that I received a very severe shock from a horseman, 
who struck against me with great violence. 
In the afternoon my friend and companion on my 
journey to A'damawa, Kashella Billama, called on me ; 
and we mounted on horseback, in order to pay a visit 
to the market, which is held every Friday outside the 
