144 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XLII. 
marvellous, as a greater crowd of people, and a far 
greater number of horses, were gathered here than 
the average population of Kiikawa. Not only were 
provisions, such as meat, grain, beans, ground-nuts, 
and other articles of a like description, offered for 
sale ; but even small luxuries ; and there was a good 
deal of bartering, as the buyers were destitute of 
currency — kiingona, or cowries, as well as g&baga or 
cotton strips. I also observed that the encampment, 
especially on this side, where it was skirted by a thick 
covert of trees, was encircled by a living wall of 
light Kanembu spearmen, who were keeping watch ; 
for although the army was still in its own territory, 
yet, in the weak state of the government, a cer- 
tain degree of insecurity already commences here ; 
and the very first evening of our being encamped on 
this spot, the ng&ufate was roused by the gangema, 
or announcement bv beat of drum, to the effect that 
everybody should be on his guard against horse- 
stealers. 
While the country around presented interesting 
features, and the encampment itself exhibited a scene 
of great variety, the time we spent here passed away 
comfortably and agreeably, with the sole exception 
that the space allotted to us was too confined to be 
comfortable. We were on the most friendly terms 
with the sheikh as well as with his vizier ; and all 
court etiquette was dispensed with. This went so far 
that I and my companion accommodated our noble 
and princely friends with our woollen jackets and 
