Chap. LXXXT. 
ta'mkala. 
303 
we returned to our quarters, which, although not 
so objectionable in themselves, were so closely sur- 
rounded by the crops that we could scarcely find 
a spot to tie up our horses ; and the huts were 
so full of all sorts of vermin that I scarcely got a 
moment's repose during my stay here. Besides the 
common plague of different species of ants and 
numberless swarms of mosquitoes, to my great sur- 
prise I found the place also full of fleas, — an in- 
sect which I had not seen since I had left Kiikawa, 
and which formerly was believed to be entirely 
wanting in Negroland. Thus I had sufficient reason 
to lament that I had here been obliged to take up my 
quarters inside the town ; the place being situated at 
the brink of a swampy valley, the dallul Bosso filled 
at present with water and dum-palms, and the crops 
surrounding the wall so closely that no space was left 
to pitch a tent. 
It was just market-day, but besides meat, sour 
milk, tobacco, and pepper, nothing was to be got. 
Millet was very dear ; indeed, the poor state of the 
market was well adapted to confirm the report that 
the greater part of the inhabitants were subsist- 
ing on the fruit of the dum-palm. However, I had 
no affairs to transact in this town besides paying 
my compliments to the governor, and therefore was 
not compelled to make a long stay. But my business 
with the latter was of rather a peculiar character, 
the people assuring me that he was very angry with 
me for not having paid him a visit the previous year. . 
