550 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXXVII- 
Africa is the region of contrasts as well in nature as 
in human life. 
When we set out again from this place, people from 
the town, who had been informed of our approach, 
came to meet us ; and I heard, to my great satis- 
faction, that the crafty Arab Mohammed el Mugharbi, 
whom I had already met in Giimmel, had at length 
arrived with the merchandise confided to his care, the 
nominal value of which was 100/. sterling, so that 
there was at least some hope of being able to carry 
on the mission on a small scale. 
But I could not but feel pleased with my reception 
on returning to head quarters in this part of the 
world ; for when we approached the southern gate of 
the town, three horsemen, who were stationed there, 
came galloping up to me, and having saluted me with 
their spears raised, placed themselves in front, and in 
stately procession led me through the town to my 
house, where I was soon regaled with a plentiful 
supper sent by the vizier. I afterwards perceived 
that he had expected me to pay him my respects the 
same evening ; but, as I felt very weak, I deferred the 
visit till the next morning, when, on his return from 
an early visit to the sheikh, he gave me an audience in 
the presence of all the people. Having expressed his 
sorrow at my reduced state, and having inquired how 
I had been received in A'damawa, he entered, with 
apparent delight, into a long conversation with me re- 
specting the form of the earth and the whole system of 
the world. On being asked what I now intended to 
