Chap. XXVII. NATIVE FERRY-BOATS. 233 
for going down a river; but of course if they came 
into contact with rocks, the calabashes would be liable 
to break. Horses must swim across a river in these 
countries ; but even their crossing a powerful stream 
safely would be greatly facilitated if they were pro- 
tected against the current by such a float lying along 
their sides. On my succeeding journeys I often 
wished to be in the possession of such a boat. 
Amusing myself with such thoughts, and indulging 
in happy anticipations of future discoveries, I continued 
my solitary march cheerfully and with confidence. To 
our left the channel of the komadugu once approached, 
but soon receded again and gave way to the site of 
a considerable deserted town, containing at present 
but a small hamlet of cattle-breeders, and called sig- 
nificantly "fato ghana" (few huts). The country 
was here adorned with trees of fine foliage, and was 
enlivened besides by large flocks of goats and sheep, 
and by a small caravan which we fell in with. We 
then passed, on our right, a considerable pool of 
stagnant water, apparently caused by the overflowing 
of the komadugu, and further on observed a few 
patches of cotton-ground well fenced and protected 
from the cattle. Then followed stubble-fields adorned 
with fine trees, in the shade of which the cattle re- 
posed in animated groups. The soil consisted of sand, 
and was burrowed throughout in large holes by the 
earth-hog (Orycteropus ^thiopicus). 
Thus about half-past ten we reached the neat little 
village A'jiri, and encamped at a short distance from 
