JOURNEY FROM BOUSSA TO KANO. 
121 
She appeared much gratified with the present, particularly the 
chain ; said I ought to go and see her son the king, who was oidy 
two or three days distant, and he would forward me to where I 
wished, and be glad to see me. I said I would go with pleasure, 
but the rains had now set in ; and that I wished to proceed on my 
journey with the taya; that I had a great number of books for 
Bello, and the Sheik of Bornou, and they would all he spoiled 
if they got wet ; that this country was very sickly in the rains ; and 
that three white men who accompanied me had died already. She 
said she had sent a messenger to her son the night of my arrival ; 
that he would return to-night or to-morrow morning, and he 
would bring orders to say whether I was to go to Baba, or not ; 
that if I went, they would detain the taya until my return. I 
said, “ Very well ; but I must have a horse, as both mine have sore 
backs.” I then took leave of her majesty, as she is called. A native 
of Moorzuk, named Mohamed Ben Ahmet, who has long resided 
in this country, served as my interpreter. He is married to one 
of the king’s daughters ; he is styled in Nyffe El Magia. 1 had 
the following account from Ben Ahmet : that this woman was the 
late king of Nyffe’s relation; that her son Mohamed El Magia, 
who is a Mahometan, is fighting with the other, who is called Edrisi 
and a pagan, for the kingdom ; that Mohamed is assisted by the 
Eellatas, and the other, who has the best right, by the people of 
iMylfe ; that Mohamed has gained every battle this summer, and that 
there is no doubt of his gaining the day ; that there is a cessation 
of hostilities during the rains ; that next summer will decide the 
fate of Edrisi ; that Mohamed can read and write Arabic ; is a great 
drunkard, but very generous. 
Tabra is on the north bank of the river May-yarrow, over which 
is a narrow wooden bridge, which will not bear a man and horse. 
This bridge connects it to a part of the town on the other side 
the river, which is also surrounded on the three sides by a wall. 
a 
