188 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXVI. 
fenced. Here we met also a small caravan, as a faint 
symptom of peaceable intercourse, though its array 
(covered as it went by an advanced guard of three 
archers marching at some distance, and performing at 
the same time the office of scouts, and by a rearguard 
of two more) showed clearly their sense of insecurity. 
The country now began to improve considerably ; and 
a beautiful tamarind-tree vested in the richest foli- 
age, and closely embracing a colossal leafless Adan- 
sonia, formed the beginning of a finer vegetation, 
while two mounts, one on our right hand and the 
other on our left, interrupted the monotonous level 
through which we had been travelling. Further on, 
granitic masses projected on all sides, and a solitary 
date-palm spread a peculiar charm over the land- 
scape. 
Having watered my horse at a well in the hollow 
between the two mounts, I reached, with my camels, 
the ditch and thorny fence then forming the only for- 
tification of the town of Mashena, which place was 
strengthened, in the following year, with a clay wall. 
It lies on the gentle southern slope of an eminence the 
top of which is crowned with a rocky crest, and is a 
considerable place for this country, having a popula- 
tion of certainly not less than 10,000 souls, but without 
the least sign of industry. A small kafila of Tebu 
and Arab merchants were encamped here; but al- 
though we arrived at the very hottest time of the day, 
I was too anxious to proceed to think of staying here ; 
and having only asked the news from Kukawa, and 
