412 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXXV. 
It was also interesting to observe the Biidduraa, the 
pirate inhabitants of the islands of the lagune, busily 
employed in their peculiar occupation of obtaining 
salt from the ashes of the " siwak," or the Capparis 
sodata. Having rested during the hot hours of the 
day, we took up our quarters in the evening just be- 
yond a temporary hamlet of these islanders ; for al- 
though watchfulness, even here, was very necessary 
in order to guard against any thievish attempt, yet, 
in general, the Biidduma seem to be on good terms 
with the Tebu, with whom they appear to have stood 
in intimate political connection from ancient times. 
Tuesday, ^^c distaucc of ouly a mile from our 
May 22nd. eucampmcnt we passed, close on our left, the 
site of Wiidi, enlivened by a few date-palms, the whole 
open grassy plain to the right, over which our former 
road to Kanem had lain, being enveloped in a wider or 
narrower strip of water. Having halted again, at the 
beginning of the hot hours, in a well- wooded tract, we 
observed in the afternoon a herd of elephants, which 
passed the heat of the day comfortably in the midst of 
the water, and among the number a female with her 
young. Further on, we were met by a troop of five 
bulfaloes, an animal which, during my former journey, 
I had not observed near the lake. 
Thus we reached the new village of Ngegimi, which 
was built on the slope of the hills, the former town 
having been entirely swept away by the inundation. 
Here we remained the forenoon of the following day ; 
the encampment being enlivened by a great number 
