TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
99 
gave up on the path, and died in a few hours, 
which the moors said resulted from having eaten 
some poisonous weed in which that country 
abounds. The men also wanted the opportunity 
of washing their linen, which this place afford- 
ed. We eagerly took advantage of it as a great 
distance of uninhabited country (which from a 
w^ant of water it was necessary to get over as 
quick as possible) lay between us and the frontier 
town of Bondoo. Private Pickard, too, was so 
ill as to be unable to ride, and was left on the 
path, under the shade of a tree, until the after- 
noon, when we sent eight men with a hammock 
to bring him up. He had, however, before they 
reached him, recovered sufficiently to come for- 
ward on Mr. Partarrieau's horse. The camel 
lost at Bantanto was stolen by one of the king 
of Woolli's people, and was traced as far back 
as Kussaye by our men who went in search of it : 
the thief, however, effected his escape with his 
prize, leaving Mr. Partarrieau with only one 
camel to bring up the two loads. The asses, 
although heavily loaded, travelled well, and 
were, if properly managed, better adapted to this 
service than either horses or camels. 
Our guide refused to accompany us beyond 
this town, giving, as a reason, his fear of being 
detained in Bondoo, should he enter that coun- 
try. I was sorry for it, as the fellow really was 
H 2 
