Chap. XXir. VILLAGES AND WELLS. 
11 
ceeding twenty fathoms. Attempting to water the 
horse, I found that the water was excessively warm ; 
unfortunately, I had not got my thermometer with 
me, but resolved to be more careful in future. On 
passing the village, we were struck by the neatness 
with which it was fenced on this side; and I after- 
wards learned by experience what a beautiful and 
comfortable dwelling may be arranged with no other 
material than reeds and corn-stalks. The population 
of these villages consists of a mixture of Moham- 
medans and pagans ; but I think the majority of the 
inhabitants are Mohammedans. 
After a short interval of woody country, we passed 
a village of the name of Chirak, with another busy 
scene round the well. In many districts in Cen- 
tral Africa the labour of drawing water, for a por- 
tion of the year, is so heavy that it occupies the 
greater part of the inhabitants half the day ; but 
fortunately, at this season, with the exception of 
weaving a little cotton, they have no other employ- 
ment, while during the season when agricultural 
labours are going on water is to be found every- 
where, and the wells are not used at all. Biizawe 
are scattered everywhere hereabouts, and infuse into 
the population a good deal of Berber blood. Very 
pure Hausa is spoken. 
It was near Chirak that Overweg, who had deter- 
mined to go directly to Tasawa, in order to commence 
his intended excursion to Gober and Maradi separated 
from me. This was indeed quite a gallant corn- 
