420 
TRAVELS m AFRICA. 
Chap. L. 
natives had also given me another nickname, meaning 
" Father of the three," which originated in my wearing 
generally, besides stockings, a pair of thin leather 
slippers, and thick overshoes ; while these people usu- 
ally go barefoot, and do not even wear sandals, ex- 
cept when they go to a great distance. 
Occasionally, however, I visited the market, which 
although at present in many respects better stocked, 
was not so regularly kept, owing to the rains, and 
not so well attended on account of the labours which 
were going on in the fields. Even slaves were now 
brought into the market, sometimes as many as thirty, 
each being sold for from 25 to 30 khalags, or kholgan 
("lebii", common white shirts), a price equal to from 
six to seven Spanish dollars. Cattle too were at present 
numerous, having not only been brought in from the 
pagan tribes, who seem to possess only a limited supply 
and of a small breed, but having been taken in far 
larger numbers from the Shiiwa tribe of the Degha- 
ghera, under pretext of their disobedience. A good fat 
ox was sold for eight khalags, or a little less than two 
dollars. During my stay in Mele, I had observed 
that sheep were taken from Bagirmi to Bornu, to be 
sold there. 
In my expectation of being allowed to depart 
without further delay, I was sadly disappointed ; and 
day after day passed by without any preparation 
for my departure. Besides, I had reason to complain 
of inhospitable treatment, for, although I occasionally 
received a dish from the sultan, far more frequently 
