264 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXX. 
here presented a very wild character, so that it alraost 
seemed as if the navigation was interrupted entirely. 
Between the island of Kendaji and the rocky cone 
there really does not appear to be any passage open ; 
but beyond the island there are evidently two more 
branches, and, as far as it can be seen from here, they 
are not nearly so much obstructed by rocks. The 
village seemed to be of considerable size, the huts 
covering the whole surface of the island ; but, at the 
time of our arrival, not a living soul was to be seen, 
with the exception of an unfortunate man who was 
lamed by Guinea- worm, all the healthy people having 
gone to the labours of the field. But in the course of 
the afternoon the scenery became pleasantly enlivened 
by the arrival of a numerous herd of cattle and a 
flock of sheep, belonging to Fiilbe settlers in the 
neighbourhood, that were brought here to be watered. 
Gradually, also, the inhabitants of the village re- 
turned from their labours, and began to give life to 
the scenery, crossing over to their insulated domi- 
cile in small canoes. Others, in the company of their 
chief, came to pay us a visit. The latter was a man 
of tall, stout figure, but of not very intelligent ex- 
pression of countenance, and, as it appeared, not of a 
very liberal and hospitable disposition, for he received 
the eloquent address of my noble friend the Wadawi, 
who adduced all the claims which he and his party 
had upon the chief's hospitality, very coldly, an- 
swering through the medium of a Piillo fdki who 
had been staying here for some time, and rather lay- 
