CAMBA Y A. 
205 
ceeded three miles to the east. In some places the soil con- 
sisted of grey clayey mouldy mixed with small gravel. The 
Tankisso, after flowing among the mountains, falls in a cas- 
cade, and winds through the plain, which it fertilizes by its 
inundations. We advanced slowly, waiting for night to 
make our entrance into the village. We recrossed the Tan- 
kisso, the water of which was up to our waists. A little 
after sun-set we stopped to offer up our prayers ; my com- 
panions then prepared to announce their arrival by a dis- 
charge of musketry, which they fired as they entered the 
village, about three miles eastward of our last station. When 
we entered the court of my guide's hut, we were greeted by a 
second discharge of musketry. Joy was painted in every 
face ; the negroes embraced their children, taking them up 
in their arms, and inquiring after their health and that of 
their friends. The women also appeared equally pleased at 
the return of their husbands, but they did not give way to 
that natural and sincere joy which would be manifested on 
similar occasions in Europe : they approached their husbands 
with an air of timidity, and lowered the knee to the earth, 
in token of salutation, but without asking any questions. 
The neighbours ran in crowds to congratulate their friends 
on the happy termination of their journey ; bullocks' hides 
were spread in the court-yard, and we sat down upon them in a 
circle, while the moon shone brightly above our heads. Much 
conversation took place respecting the circumstances of the 
journey, and the price of different commodities, especially salt. 
No notice had as yet been taken of me, but, as soon as I was 
observed, every one looked at me with astonishment, and the 
question, Who is this man ?" was repeated from mouth 
to mouth. Ibrahim was glad of the opportunity to relate my 
whole history, as I had told it to him ; which rendered me still 
more an object of curiosity: I was importuned with questions, 
to which my guide had the kindness to reply for me. The 
court-yard was filled the whole evening, and about nine 
