410 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Chap. LXXXY. 
when in the afternoon of Saturday the 19th, we at 
length left our station at this northern frontier of 
Bornu, in the present reduced state of that kingdom; 
and I turned my back with great satisfaction upon 
these countries where I had spent full five years in 
incessant toil and exertion. On retracing my steps 
northwards, I was filled with the hope that a Mer- 
ciful Providence would allow me to reach home in 
safety, in order to give a full account of my labours 
and discoveries ; and, if possible, to follow up the 
connections which I had established with the interior, 
for opening regular intercourse with that continent. 
Our first day's march from here, however, was far 
from being auspicious ; for, having met with frequent 
delays and stoppages, such as are common at the 
commencement of a journey, and darkness having set 
in, the three monkeys which I wished to take with me, 
by their noise and cries, frightened the camels so much 
that they started off at a gallop, breaking several 
things, and amongst others a strong musket. I saw, 
therefore, that nothing was to be done but to let loose 
these malicious little creatures, which, instead of re- 
maining quiet, continually amused themselves with 
loosening all the ropes with which the luggage was 
tied on the backs of the animals. Having encamped 
this night at a late hour, we reached, the following 
morning, the town of Barruwa, and remained here the 
whole day, in order to provide ourselves with the dried 
fish which is here prepared in large quantities, and 
which constitutes the most useful article for procuring 
