426 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXXIV. 
ducted us to a dwelling not far from the eastern foot 
of the rock, consisting of several small huts, with a 
tall gigina in the middle of its courtyard, which was 
never deserted by some large birds of the stork 
family, — most probably some European wanderers. 
However, it had the great disadvantage of being 
extremely wet, so that I preferred staying outside ; 
and going to some distance from the huts, I laid my- 
self down in the shade of a tree, where the ground 
was comparatively dry. The weather had been very 
cool and cheerless in the morning, and I was glad 
when the sun at length came forth, increasing the 
interest of the landscape, of which the accompany- 
ing view may give a slight idea.* 
I here tried, for the first time, the fruit of the 
deleb-palm, which was just ripe; but I did not find 
it worth the trouble, as it really requires a good deal 
of effort to suck out the pulp, which is nothing but 
horse?), "to erajo mada" (how is your grandfather ?), "to ma- 
chudo mada" (how is your slave?), "to bibe mada" (and your 
children?), " to sukabe mada" (how are your lads?) " bibe habe 
majam" (how are the children of your subjects?) "korri nay ma- 
jam" (how are your cattle?); all of which in general are answered 
with " se jam." Between this strain occasionally a question about 
the news of the world — " to habbaru dunia ;" and with travellers 
at least a question as to the fatigue — " to chommeri" — is inserted. 
There is still a greater variety of compliments, the form of many, 
as used in A'damawa, varying greatly from that usual in other 
countries occupied by the Fiilbe, and of course all depends on 
the time of the day when friends meet. 
* Unfortunately, I had not energy enough to finish it in detail ; 
so that many little interesting features have not been expressed. 
