Chap. LXXXII. DATE-TREES.— EFFECT OF RAINS. 331 
north, and passing through a populous district, rich 
in pastures and the cultivation of rice and sorghum, 
and exhibiting near the town of Kusada a good many 
diim- and deleb-palms, we ascended at length along a 
difficult passage, rendered almost impassable by the 
quantity of rain which had fallen, until we reached 
Shagari, the place where we had slept on our outward 
journey, and where a market was just being held. 
We were fortunate enough, this time, to obtain toler- 
able quarters, and to be well treated. 
The whole country which we traversed on our 
next day's march, was clothed with the richest ve- 
getation, the crops being almost ripe, but cattle and 
horses being very scanty. Thus, after a good march, 
we reached the town of Bodinga, having lost another 
of our camels on the road, which, in crossing one of 
the swampy valleys in which this part of Negroland 
abounds, had fallen backwards with his load, and 
died on the spot. But the quantity of water that we 
had to sustain from above and below, was not only 
destructive to animals, but likewise to men, and I my- 
self felt most cheerless, weak, and without appetite, 
bearing already within me the germs of dysentery, 
which soon were to develop themselves, and under- 
mine my health in the most serious way. My 
companions were not much better off, and of the 
messengers of the Sheikh El Bakdy, none but Sidi 
A'hmed was able to keep up with us. 
A large and well-frequented market was held be- 
fore the western gate of the town of Bodinga, ex- 
