206 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XLIV. 
did not allow him any rest, had not only persuaded the 
head man of Demmo, who had made his escape, but 
even the chief of the nearest village on the other side 
of the ngaljam, to make his subjection publicly, and 
to seek the protection of B6rnu. They were therefore 
introduced this day into the nogona or council, and 
threw dust upon their heads. But when they had 
to confirm their subjection by an oath, the pagan 
prince of Demmo indeed took an oath, raising a hand- 
ful of earth, and allowing it to glide through his 
fingers, but the chief from the other side of the 
ngaljam refused to take the oath, under the pre- 
text that this earth was not fit for his vow, not being 
his own soil ; he said he must first bring a handful 
of earth from his own country. An oath taken upon 
earth that belonged to their native soil was also 
common among the ancients. 
Both chiefs had made their appearance in their 
native attire, that is to say, quite naked with the ex- 
ception of a narrow leather strip round their loins ; 
and it caused great merriment to the courtiers, 
that when, in consequence of their subjection, they 
were officially dressed in black tobes as a sort of in- 
vestiture, the chief of Demmo drew his shirt over his 
head, reckless whether the lower parts were covered 
or not. In order to amuse the assemblage, they also 
blew their little horn, an instrument which every 
Miisgu grandee carries with him, and which bears a 
great resemblance to a bugle ; but in this accomplish- 
ment a priest who accompanied them was more clever 
