Chap. XLVI. REMAINS OF PAGAN RITES. 263 
Having here watered our horses, we wanted to make a 
halt during the heat of the day, at a hamlet belonging 
to Haj Ibrahim ; but we were rather inhospitably re- 
ceived, and stretched ourselves therefore under the 
shade of a caoutchouc-tree at some distance from the 
village. The tree was remarkable on account of a 
peculiar " safi" or charm, which testified to the many 
remains of pagan rites still lingering in these countries. 
It consisted of two earthern pots placed one upon the 
other, and filled with a peculiar substance, and was 
supposed to guarantee prolificness to the mares of 
the village. The ground being an ordinary resting- 
place for travellers, swarmed with insects, principally 
that large kind of " kari " common to the cattle in 
this country. 
When we started again in the afternoon, we met a 
caravan, consisting of camels and pack-oxen laden 
with Guinea corn, which one of our friend Lamino's 
people was taking to town from his master's planta- 
tion. At an early hour we reached Yedi, which we 
had also touched at on our expedition to Miisgu. I 
intended to have taken up my quarters inside the 
town ; but the streets were so narrow that I preferred 
encamping outside. A young Shiiwa lad here offered 
his services to me. At the well where we had 
watered our horses he had rendered us gratuitous 
assistance ; and I had given him a few needles in 
return. Being in want of a servant, I accepted 
his offer, and had strong reason in the course of my 
travels to be glad of having done so ; for although in 
s 4 
