Chap. LXXXI. SWAMPY VALLEYS. 
323 
quantities. We were well treated by the owner, or 
maigida, of the farm, in conformance with the orders 
which he received from the magaji, to whom I sent a 
small present, reminding him of the larger gift which 
I had given him the preceding year. His hospitality 
was the more acceptable, as the market was very badly 
supplied, neither millet nor rice being procurable; 
sour milk also was extremely dear, as on account of 
the crops, and the quantity of water covering the 
valley, the cattle had been all sent off to a great 
distance, into the neighbourhood of Gando. 
Late in the evening the expedition returned, 
bringing about one hundred head of cattle and thirty 
slaves, whom they had captured from the enemy. But 
although the commander of the expedition was to re- 
tarn to Gando himself, I did not like to wait for him, 
and started early the next morning along our old 
path, which was only distinguished at present by the 
quantity of water with which it was covered, especially 
near the village Hd-usdwa, where the whole shallow bed 
of the valley formed one sheet of water three feet deep. 
A good deal of cultivation of rice was at present to be 
seen. Thus we reached Giilumbe, where, this time, 
in consequence of the quantity of rain that had fallen, 
inundating the ground outside close up to the wall, I 
took up my quarters inside the town, and obtained 
tolerably good lodgings, the courtyard being sur- 
rounded by a most exuberant growth of vegetation, 
and the finest timber ; but the mayor did not treat 
us quite so well as I expected, although I made him 
y 2 
