128 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XLII. 
sun. Owing to the smallness of my means, I had been 
obliged to leave my large tent, in Kiikawa. 
Sunday, ^ ne following morning I was obliged to 
Nov. 30th. remam behind the army a considerable 
time, in order to allow the air to acquire a more 
genial temperature. I enjoyed the more the beauti- 
ful morning, although the country did not possess 
many attractions. Here, also, it exhibited thafc 
black boggy soil, called " firki," which is peculiar 
to the southern parts of Bornu, though near 
the village of Little Marte, or " Marte ghana," some 
slight variation was seen, in a crop of Indian corn or 
" holcus " still standing in the fields ; the ears, how- 
ever, were quickly plucked off by the undisciplined 
army. Further on I reached a group of villages or- 
namented by a cluster of beautiful tamarind-trees, and 
here lay down awhile to enjoy the delicious shade. 
Numbers of people were resting here and there, in 
order to partake of the hospitality of the villagers; 
for, to the ruin of the country there is no commissa- 
riat in these armies to provide for the wants of the 
private individual, and every one must supply himself 
with food in the best manner he can. 
Oar march, however, was very short, the encamp- 
ment having been chosen on the west side of the town 
of AIL This town also is of some importance, and 
surrounded by a wall in good repair, with two gates 
on the north and west sides and only one on the 
south and east. The interior is enlivened by large 
trees, consisting of chedia (elastic gum), and kiirna 
