INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 79 
strokes on the large drums. In this manner they proceeded, 
amidst the acclamations of the populace, till they reached the 
house of Tiggity Sego, where the loads were deposited ; and 
in the evening they all assembled under the Bentang tree, and 
spent the night in dancing and merriment. Many of these 
strangers remained at Teesee for three days, during which time 
I was constantly attended by as many of them as could conve- 
niently see me ; one party giving way to another, as soon as 
curiosity was gratified. 
On the 5th of January an embassy of ten people belong- 
ing to Almami Abdulkader, King of Foota Torra, a country 
to the west of Bondou, arrived at Teesee ; and desiring Tig- 
gity Sego to call an assembly of the inhabitants, announced 
publicly their king's determination, to this effect : " That un- 
less all the people of Kasson would embrace the Mahomedan 
religion, and evince their conversion by saying eleven public 
prayers, he (the King of Foota Torra) could not possibly stand 
neuter in the present contest, but would certainly join his 
arms to those of Kajaaga." A message of this nature, from so 
powerful a prince, could not fail to create great alarm ; and 
the inhabitants of Teesee, after a long consultation, agreed to 
conform to his good pleasure, humiliating as it was to them. 
Accordingly, one and all publicly offered up eleven prayers, 
which were considered a sufficient testimony of their hav- 
ing renounced Paganism, and embraced the doctrines of the 
Prophet. 
It was the 8th of January before Demba Sego returned with 
my horse ; and being quite wearied out with the delay, I went 
