LEG TOMBUCT0O. 
45 
the royal palace, were built of stone ; the latter 
by an artist brought from Granada. Cotton cloth 
was woven in great quantity. The merchants 
were extremely rich ; and the king had married 
his daughters to two of their number. The inha- 
bitants were copiously supplied with water ; that 
of the Niger, whenever it overflowed, being con- 
veyed into it by sluices. The country round 
abounded with corn, cattle, and all the necessa- 
ries of life, except salt, which was brought from 
Tegazza, situated at a distance of 500 miles ; 
which was held so valuable, that Leo had seen a 
camel's load sold for 80 ducats. The king had a 
splendid court, and many ornaments of gold, some 
of which weighed 1300 ounces. He maintained 
also 3000 horsemen, and a numerous infantry ; 
many of whom were in the habit of using poison- 
ed arrows. Horses were not bred, but imported 
from Barbary, and eagerly sought after ; so that 
the king, whenever any number arrived, insisted 
on making a selection for himself, paying, how- 
ever, a handsome price. Manuscripts are parti- 
cularly mentioned, not only as one of the imports 
from Barbary, but as bringing more money than 
any other commodity. The inhabitants were 
mild and gentle, and spent a great part of the 
night in singing and dancing. The town was 
extremely exposed to fire, and our author had 
knx)wn half of it consumed in the space of five 
