Chap.XLVIII. SENT BACK FROM BU'GOMA'n. 333 
commands of the sultan : but no answer came. In 
vain did I endeavour to protect myself from the 
burning rays of the sun by forming a temporary 
shelter of my carpet ; for the sun in these climes is 
never more severe than just before the setting-in of 
the rainy season, and we had generally at two o'clock 
between 106° and 110°. As noon passed by, I grew 
impatient, especially as I had nothing to eat, there 
being no firewood, even for cooking a very simple 
dinner. 
At length, a little before three o'clock, my mes- 
sengers returned, and their countenances indicated 
that they were not the bearers of satisfactory news. 
The governor of Bugoman refused obedience to the 
direct order of his lord the sultan of Bagirmi, and 
declined receiving me into the town. Nothing was 
left but to retrace our steps to the village Matuwari, 
where we had been so hospitably entertained. Drag- 
ging therefore behind us the sheep which we had not 
yet been able to slaughter, we returned by the same 
road we had come. 
Here we remained the following morning, and I 
had sufficient time to reflect on my condition in this 
country. There could not be the least doubt that 
the greater part of the inhabitants were unfavourably 
inclined towards the stranger ; and I was persuaded 
that the best course for me to pursue would be to 
return to Logon, and there quietly await the answer 
of the sultan ; but my companions were not of my 
opinion, and assured me I was not at liberty to leave 
