40 
RESIDENCE AT KATUNGA. 
umbrellas and gold-mounted cane he was much pleased ; but for 
the red and blue cloth, which, by some mistake, was common cloth 
for soldiers’ coats, we had to make an apology. With all the others 
he was highly pleased. Indeed, during our stay at Katunga he was 
never seen without the cane. 
After the delivery of the presents, I told him that the king, 
my master, had sent me before on a mission to Bornou, in which 
country and Ilousa I had passed two years; that the sultans and 
people of these countries had behaved to me with the greatest 
kindness ; and that, having then understood that the path we were 
now going was the nearest way to Bornou, the king of England 
had ordered me, as I proceeded, to visit the king of Youriba, and 
to assure him of his friendship, and to request him to give me a 
safe conduct to Nyffee, from whence I might proceed to Bornou. 
He seemed to hesitate much at this request, and consulted with 
his minister what answer to give. After which, he said, that 
Nyffee or Toppa was involved in civil war, caused by the death of 
the king, who had left two sons, both of whom claimed the king- 
dom ; that one son had more of his countrymen on his side, but the 
other had called in the assistance of the Fellatahs or Fellans, which 
made him doubt as to my safety, in the event of his putting me 
into their hands. I told him I was a servant of the king of Eng- 
land, and must go where he chose to order me, and that, live or 
die, I must proceed ; that I had nothing to do with either party or 
with their wars ; that all I wanted was a passage over the Quorra 
into Nyffee, and hoped he would not refuse me. After some further 
consultation with his counsellors, he said he would despatch a mes- 
senger to open the road for me, and that he would send me safely 
over the river. 
Wednesday, 25th. — Early this morning the king sent me a pre- 
sent of a large fat cow, a sheep, yams, &c. He had before sent us 
a goat, yams, honey, and milk, night and morning. 
