162 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
C jap. XXVI. 
west side of the town ; but my horseman, who had 
gone in advance with them, thought it first necessary 
to conduct me into the presence of the governor, or 
rather of one of the five governors who rule over this 
place, each of them thinking himself more important 
than his colleague. The one to whom he presented 
me was, however, a very unprepossessing man, and 
not the same who on my return from the west in 1854 
treated me with extraordinary respect. Yet he did not 
behave inhospitably to me ; for he sent me a sheep 
(not very fat indeed), with some corn and fresh milk. 
Milk during the whole of my journey formed my 
greatest luxury ; but I would advise any African 
traveller to be particularly careful with this article, 
which is capable of destroying a weak stomach 
entirely ; and he would do better to make it a rule 
always to mix it with a little water, or to have it 
boiled. 
The town of Gerki is a considerable place, and 
under a strong government would form a most im- 
portant frontier-town. As it is, it may probably con- 
tain about fifteen thousand inhabitants ; but they are 
notorious for their thievish propensities, and the wild 
state of the country around bears ample testimony to 
their want of industry. The market, which is held 
here before the S. W. gate, is of the most indifferent 
description. The wall with its pinnacles is in very 
good repair. In order to keep the thievish disposi- 
tion of the natives in check, I fired some shots late 
in the evening; and we slept undisturbed. On my 
