370 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXXIII. 
was the reason that we always preferred encamping 
outside ; although here it was deemed too unsafe. 
Even inside the place, the people were very much 
afraid of thieves. The town was tolerably populous, 
and the courtyards were fenced with hedges of living 
trees, almost in the same way as U'ba, and the one 
where we lodged was well shaded. Although, in the 
present disturbed state of the country, and with the 
prospect of another expedition of Bokhari, the in- 
habitants did not feel much at their ease, we were 
nevertheless tolerably well treated. 
We had the same difficulty in getting 
November 24th. n i i i • 
out 01 the town, as we had m entermg 
it, so that 1 was quite sick of these places, and re- 
solved if possible never to enter one again. The sor- 
ghum, or Indian corn, had just been cut, but was 
lying on the ground unthrashed, or rather unbeaten. 
The dorowa-tree, or Bassia Parhii^ which seemed to 
be the prevailing tree in this district, appeared in 
great numbers a little further on, and even date-trees 
were seen, close to a hamlet. Having then passed 
through a more open country, the scenery became 
exceedingly fine, and continued so as far as the town 
of Sabo-n-gari, which we passed at some distance on 
our left. The market-place, enlivened by two beau- 
tiful baiire-trees, remained close at the side of our 
track. It was here that the governor of Kano in- 
tended to collect his troops in order to oppose Bo- 
khdri ; but it was not very likely, taking into account 
his own want of energy, and the cowardly disposition 
