370 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XLIX. 
to linger till it is destined either to rise again, or to 
fall a prey to the first invader. 
However, I was not allowed to enter the holy pre- 
cinct of this ruined capital without further annoyance ; 
for, being obliged to send a message to the lieutenant- 
governor, announcing my arrival, I was made to 
wait more than an hour and a half outside the gate, 
although there was not the least shade. I was then 
allowed to make my humble entrance. Only a few 
human beings were to be seen ; and open pasture- 
grounds extended to a considerable distance, princi- 
pally on the right side towards the south. We then 
entered the inhabited quarter ; and I was lodged in a 
clay house standing in an open courtyard, which was 
likewise fenced by a low clay wall. The house con- 
tained an airy front room well suited to my taste, 
and four small chambers at the back, which were 
certainly not very airy, but were useful for stowing 
away luggage and provisions. 
I had scarcely taken possession of my quarters, 
when numbers of people came to salute me on the 
part of the lieutenant-governor; and a short time 
afterwards a confidential slave of his made his appear- 
ance, to whom I delivered my presents, consisting of 
a piece of printed Manchester cotton sufficient for a 
tobe, an Egyptian shawl, several kinds of odoriferous 
essences, such as " makhbil," the fruit of a species of 
tilia, " luban " or benzoin, and a considerable quan- 
tity of sandal-wood, which is greatly esteemed in the 
countries of Negroland east of Bornu. While deliver- 
