Chap. LXXVIII. SURVEY OF THE RIVER. 
235 
cloth, they were surprised at its appearance, and, at 
a distance, all the people mistook it for a coat of mail, 
as most of them had been accustomed to see only red 
cloth. 
Pursuing then, my proposed excursion, I observed 
also, below the village, some fine groups of date-palms. 
I also assured myself that the creek of Gogo, at least 
at this season of the year, is quite unnavigable, al- 
though I could not understand why the modern 
capital of the Songhay empire was not built on the 
open river, the only advantage derived from its actual 
situation being that the small creek forms a kind of 
close harbour, which affords protection to the boats, 
and may easily be defended in case of need. As for 
the site of the former capital Kiikiya, or Kiigha, I am 
sorry I did not arrive at a distinct conclusion respect- 
ing it. 
Having followed the bank, as far as the point where 
the creek joins the principal branch of the river, I felt 
myself induced, by the precarious state of my com- 
panion's health to retrace my steps. This indisposi- 
tion of the Sheikh's nephew influenced the choice of 
my companions on my return journey ; as it had been 
originally the Sheikh's intention to send his nephew 
along with me as far as Sokoto. In his place another, 
but more distant relation of the Sheikh, Mohammed 
ben Mukhtar, an energetic, and intelligent young 
man, but of a less noble turn of mind, was appointed ; 
and besides him, there was the Hartani Malek, son 
of a freed slave, who was to return with the last- 
