Chap. XXIII. 
NEGRO HORSEMEN. 
45 
borne in mind that the country of A'sben had been 
for some time in a more than ordinarily turbulent 
state," and that consequently the caravan was at this 
juncture probably less numerous than it would be in 
quiet times. 
Being rather uneasy with regard to the intention of 
the governor of the province, I went early the next 
morning to Elaiji, and assured him that, besides some 
small things, such as razors, cloves, and frankincense, 
I possessed only two red caps to give to the governor, 
and that I could not afford to contract more debts by 
buying a bernus. The good old man was himself 
aware of the governor's intention, who, he told me, 
had made up his mind to get a large present from 
me, otherwise he would not allow me to continue my 
journey. I wanted to visit the town, but was pre- 
vented from doing so under these circumstances, 
and therefore remained in the encampment. 
The governor, who spends a great deal of his time 
in a country-house which he has recently built out- 
side the town, about noon held a sort of review of 
several hundred horsemen, whose horses, in general, 
were in excellent condition. They were armed with 
a straight sword hanging on the left, a long heavy 
spear for thrusting, and a shield, either of the same 
description as that of the Tawarek, of oblong shape, 
made of the hide of the large antelope (Leucoryx), 
or else of bullock's or elephant's hide, and form- 
ing an immense circular disk of about five feet in 
diameter ; some of them wore also the dagger at the 
