126 
JOURNEY FROM BOUSSA TO KANO. 
sion of countenance, having a large mouth and snagged teeth, with 
which he makes himself look worse when he attempts to smile, 
and looks indeed like any thing but a king or a soldier. He wore 
a black velvet cap, with two flaps over the ears, and trimmed with 
red silk, a blue and white striped tobe, red boots, part of leather 
and part red cloth, in rags ; in his hand he had a black staff, with 
a silver head ; his slaves were carrying a coast-made umbrella and 
his sword. I paid him every decent respect, and put on as many 
smiles as I was able, as I know that those ragged and dirty rogues, 
when they have power, have more pride than a real king, and 
expect a great deal more respect, and cannot bear a man to look 
serious. At ten I arrived at the Sanson, or camp, where I was 
lodged in the eunuchs’ part, having a small unoccupied hut separated 
from the rest allotted for me to live in. Here I was left to myself 
until 3 P. M., when the eunuch came and told me the king had 
arrived, and wished to see me. I went directly, taking a present, 
which I displayed before him. When the articles were taken away 
by an eunuch, I told him who and what I was, where I was going, 
and that I wanted his assistance and protection to the governors 
of Guari or Zegzeg, in Houssa ; that I had been well treated by 
every king and governor between Badagry on the sea-coast, to 
Tabra in his dominions, and I hoped for the same favourable recep- 
tion from him. He said it was easy to do all that 1 had asked, and 
he would do it. 
Sunday, 23d. — This morning I was much better, having shut 
my little straw hut up as close as possible, so that 1 was as if in a 
steam bath all night. 1 have ever found this and fasting a good 
cure for most disorders. 
The king went through the camp, attended by a great rabble, 
a slave carrying the umbrella I had given him over his head. He 
paid me a visit, and began, as soon as he had seated himself, to 
show me his staff of authority, a black stick, about four feet long, 
