JOURNEY FROM BOUSSA TO KANO. 
157 
Sunday, 9th. — Morning dull and cloudy. At 8. 30 A. M. left 
our encampment to the eastward of Fatika, the road winding and 
very gravelly; passed through several plantations of millet, sweet 
potatoes, indigo, and dourra, the path winding to the south and 
south-east, when we came to the ruins of a large town, where we 
turned up, E. S.E. at noon. At 1 P. M. saw the mount inside the 
walls of the old city of Zaria, appearing over the long ranges which 
the land forms, like islands in the midst of the sea. 
Monday, 10th. — Morning cloudy, with rain. At 7 A. M. the 
rain ceased, and we loaded our animals, and started at eight. 
Shaped our path across gentle rising and declining ridges ; the soil 
a deep red clay, with now and then rocks of sandstone and clay 
ironstone, and the country woody. Within about four or five miles 
of Zaria the country became altogether clear of wood : except a 
patch here and there, all was in pasture, or planted with rice, 
millet, and dourra. Herds of beautiful cattle were feeding in the 
valleys, or lying chewing the cud on the higher grounds. Zaria 
was seen to the eastward, and known by its tall trees, like a long- 
avenue of gigantic poplars ; running across the horizon from north 
to south, stretching from the south end of one detached mount to 
the north end of another. At two, entered one of the gates on 
the west side of Zaria ; but, instead of finding houses, I could just 
see their tops over the growing grain. At about a quarter of a 
mile distance all was walled fields, full of growing millet and dourra, 
with here and there a horse or mare tethered in the open spaces. 
At sunset Abdulkrum, the acting governor, arrived, and waited 
on me instantly. He was very kind, offered me his own house to 
live in if I did not like the one I was in ; sent for a fine fat sheep, 
with plenty of provisions for man and beast. 
Tuesday, 11th. — Morning dull and cloudy. After breakfast I 
had a visit from Abdulkrum. I told him who 1 was, and what 
I was, and where I was going ; and desired he would give me a 
