16 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA 
obliged to halt, in order to cut a passage through 
the thicket of cane, which covered its banks* 
We were all so much fatigued that we could 
scarcely keep our eyes open ; indeed many of 
the men fell asleep on the path. A few shots 
were fired, to apprise the inhabitants of the 
neighbouring villages of our arrival; and in 
about two hours, they made their appearance 
from different directions, bringing corn, rice, 
and pistacios for sale. 
Both men and animals were so much ex- 
hausted, that it was found necessary to halt un- 
til the 18th, when we moved forward at eight, 
A. M. and, travelling east for about two miles up 
hiil, we passed a deserted town, from which we 
continued marching on a level barren plain for 
six miles, and then descending gently for 
about four miles more, we arrived at the Ru- 
ling, a fine stream running nne. We crossed 
it, and halted on its eastern bank for the night. 
We had scarcely unloaded the animals when the 
long dry grass to windward of our position was 
set fire to, and nothing but the greatest exertion 
on the part of the men could have prevented it 
from destroying the whole of our baggage. 
It behoves travellers in that country to be ex- 
tremely guarded in their choice of a halting- 
place, for the path generally lies through grass 
six or seven feet long, and so dry at that season, 
