242 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XLV. 
tion, it is extremely difficult, nay almost impossible, 
to decide about the direction of these watercourses, 
except during the period of their highest inundation. 
But the fertile and picturesque landscape beyond this 
narrow sheet of water, which stretched along in a 
regular line like an artificial canal, did not seem at 
all to be deserted, natives being seen in every direc- 
tion. The commander of the expedition therefore 
ordered a short halt, the army presenting their front 
to the enemy, and preventing the stragglers from 
crossing the river, which, owing to their greediness 
for spoil, they seemed to have not a little inclination 
to do. 
But the great men of B6rnu at the present day do 
not like any unusual exertion ; and it was decided to 
await the arrival of the camels, to encamp at ease, 
and to take luncheon. We then turned off a little 
to the westward, entered a village, and encamped 
in the stubble-fields. 
Suddenly, just about noon, without my having any 
previous knowledge of it, the vizier and his officers 
mounted on horseback, in order to attack the pagans 
on the other side of the water ; but these poor people, 
to whom had been given full opportunity of estimating 
the strength of the army, had thought it prudent to 
make use of the leisure thus afforded them, not by 
the mercy, but by the cowardly disposition of their 
enemies, to convey their families and property into 
a place of safety ; for the river of Logon passed at a 
distance of only four miles from this place, and in 
