118 
JOURNEY FROM BOUSSA TO KANO. 
people and the majority of the inhabitants, though pagans, have 
a regard for religion. Figures of human beings are painted on 
these houses, as are also the boa, the alligator, and the tortoise. 
The country is well cultivated, and planted with corn, and yams, 
and cotton. They have plenty of sheep and goats, a few small 
horses, but no cows ; and large plantations of bananas and plan- 
tains are seen by the river side. The blacksmiths are still in great 
numbers. They get their iron ore from the hills, which they smelt 
where they dig it, and which is done without mining. The taya 
paid me a visit, wishing me to remain at this place to-morrow, as 
an army of the Fellatas were in Ivoolfu, on their return to Sockatoo. 
Fie still shuffles off his bargain, and begged hard that I would 
remain here until the day after to-morrow, as the Fellatas would 
then be gone. I said I had nothing to do with the Fellatas ; they 
would not hurt me : that he had put me off from day to day, always 
making a fresh bargain, different from the one he had made before. 
I offered him half the money here, on his giving me proper security ; 
but he began haggling again, and went off without coming to any 
certain agreement, as he has always done. I however determined 
to get to Koolfu to-morrow if possible, as these Fellatas are the 
very people I want to meet, more particularly if they are from 
Sockatoo. 
Wednesday, 12th. — In the afternoon of this day we halted 
at a village, after crossing a wooden bridge over a stream called 
the May-yarrow. It was rudely constructed of rough branches 
covered with earth ; long, and so narrow that two horses could 
not pass at one time. It is the first I have seen in Africa. I re- 
mained here only a few minutes, when I went to another village, 
where the carriers, after setting the baggage down, ran off. As 
soon as myself and servants arrived we were instantly surrounded 
by the whole male population of the village, all armed with bows 
and arrows, their knives in their hands, and bow-rings on their 
