Chap. LXXX. CAMP OF ERA'TAFA'NI. 
269 
to enjoy mucli repose, but were soon visited by tlie 
whole male population of the village, Tawarek and 
Songhay, full-grown men and children, who gathered 
round us with great curiosity, but without entering 
into close conversation, as they did not know what 
to make of me, and scrutinized suspiciously what my 
real character might be, my companions passing me 
for a sherif. 
Later in the afternoon the chief himself, who had 
not been present on our arrival, paid us a visit, and 
behaved in a very becoming manner, so that I made 
him a present of half a litham, while I distributed a 
quantity of needles amongst his people. The place 
was tolerably well supplied with provisions, and I 
bought a good supply of butter and rice ; but milk 
was scarce, although I succeeded in bartering a 
small quantity for some dates, of which these people 
were extremely fond. A little below our encampment, 
on the low shore, there was a farm, and on the island 
nearest the shore, two small hamlets ; for the branch 
of the river, which in general appears to be of con- 
siderable depth, was studded with green islands, which 
stretched out lengthwise in two parallel rows, being 
of the same height as the bank on which we were en- 
camped, and which at present formed a steep descent 
to the shores of the river of about ten feet, ren- 
dering the watering of the horses very difficult. It 
was only with the utmost exertion that we rescued 
one of them which fell into the stream. 
The whole district is said to be greatly infested by 
