226 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XLIV. 
that we had not taken this route in the morning, as 
the poor Miisgu people would have had less time to 
make their escape. Leaving the main body of the 
cavalry behind me, I pursued my march towards my 
homely tent without delay ; for having been on 
horseback for more than twelve hours without any- 
thing to eat, I was quite ready for some repose and 
refreshment. But it took me full an hour and a half 
to cross this peculiar basin, which at present was dry 
in most places, and overgrown with tall rank grass, 
but swampy in some parts, and intersected by holes 
caused by the footprints of the elephant. A mile 
further along the north-western border of this swamp 
brought me to my tent, and to the several dishes 
which awaited me ; and this was one of those rare 
occasions, during my travels in Negroland, on which 
I dined with a truly European appetite. 
The vizier was very gracious, and praised my 
courage in having accompanied this distant expedi- 
tion quite by myself ; but the Kanuri, who had taken 
part in it, detracted from my praise, using the very 
terms which I have mentioned above — " faida nse" 
bago." Indeed this became one of my nicknames 
during my stay in Bornu, and was the reason why I 
was less popular with most of the people than my 
companion. It is very natural that the motto " afi 
faida nse" ("of what use is he?") should be the 
guiding principle, not only of Europeans, but barba- 
rians and semi-barbarians. 
The following day we remained on the same spot, 
