Chap. L. 
ARRIVAL OF TflE SULTAN. 
401 
to be the predominant tree in many of the southern 
provinces of Bagirmi. 
After false reports of the sultan's approach 
had been spread repeatedly, he at length July3rd> 
really arrived. Of course, the excitement of the whole 
population was very great, almost all the fighting 
men having been absent from home for more than six 
months. 
It was about nine o'clock in the morning when the 
army approached the south side of the town, display- 
ing a great deal of gorgeous pomp and barbaric 
magnificence, although it was not very numerous, 
being reduced to the mere number of the inhabitants 
of the capital, the remainder having already dispersed 
in all directions, and returned to their respective 
homes. Thus there were not more than from 700 
to 800 horsemen, or " malasmda ; " but my friend the 
sherif Sliman (who, exasperated at the bad treatment 
of the lieutenant-governor, had left the capital to join 
the expedition, and who, as far as I had an oppor- 
tunity of trying him, was not inclined to exaggerate) 
assured me that, even on their return, the army 
mustered at least 2000 horsemen. 
At the head of the troop, as having supplied the 
place of his master during his absence, in his character 
of lieutenant-governor, rode the kadamange, sur- 
rounded by a troop of horsemen. Then followed the 
barma, behind whom was carried a long spear of 
peculiar make, which in the history of this country 
VOL. III. D D 
