Chap. XLII. 
a'la. 
129 
trees, while the huts are remarkable for their high 
conical roof, the thatch of which, in a great many in- 
stances, is interlaced by the clasps of the Cucurbita la- 
genaria, the whole looking very cheerful. The sheikh 
having requested me repeatedly to give my compass up 
to him, as he imagined it would be sufficient for one of 
us to possess such an instrument, I thought it prudent 
to offer him my musical-box as a present, remarking 
that I would willingly give away such articles, but 
not scientific instruments. Several hares had been 
caught in the course of the day ; and in the evening 
we had some of them very palatably dressed by the 
experienced female slave of Lamino. 
Soon after starting, early in the morning Mond 
we had to traverse some underwood, which December 1st. 
caused a great rush and much confusion among the un- 
disciplined army, so that two or three horsemen were 
seriously injured. On such occasions, as well as in the 
thick covert of the forest^ I had full opportunity of 
testing the valuable properties of the Arab stirrups, 
which protect the whole leg, and, if skilfully managed, 
keep every obtruder at a respectful distance ; indeed I 
am almost sure that if, on these my African wander- 
ings, I had made use of English stirrups I should have 
lost both my legs. Our way afterwards led over mo- 
notonous firki ground, where we were cheered by the 
sight of some fine crops of sorghum. Detached ham- 
lets were seen in every direction, even where the 
country did not present any traces of cultivation ; 
but, with the exception of the Shiiwa villages, this 
VOL. III. k 
