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TRAVELS IX AFRICA. 
Chap. XXX. 
but, as malicious tongues gave out, had been too 
fond of the cash intrusted to his care, and absconded. 
He afterwards resided some years in Waday, where 
he had drilled a handful of the sultan's slaves, had 
come to this kingdom to try his fortune, and was 
now about to be sent to Waday by the sheikh of 
Bornu, as a spy, to see if the prince of that country 
had still any design of recommencing hostilities. 
From all persons of this description a traveller may 
learn a great deal ; and, intriguing fellows as they 
generally are, and going from court to court spread- 
ing reports everywhere, prudence requires that he 
should keep on tolerably good terms with them. 
Most interesting and instructive was a host of 
pilgrims from different parts of Masena or Melle, partly 
Fiilbe, partly Songhay, who having heard of the white 
man, and of his anxiety to collect information respect- 
ing all parts of the continent, came repeatedly to me 
to contribute each his share. I used to regale them 
with coffee, while they gave me ample opportunities of 
comparing and testing their statements. The most 
interesting and best informed amongst them were 
Bu-Bakr, a native of Hamdallahi, the capital of the 
sheikh (sekho) Ahmedu ben Ahmed u, who having 
made a pilgrimage to Mekka, had long resided in Ye- 
man, and was now returning homeward with a good 
deal of knowledge; and another cheerful and simple- 
hearted old man from Sa on the Isa or Niger, between 
Hamdallahi and Timbuktu. Indeed, as the report 
of Ahmed bel Mejub about Adamawa had confirmed 
