182 
FROM KANO TO SOCCATOO 
1 now was informed, for the first time, by the Gadado, that 
before we went to Soccatoo, we should have to go by Coonia, the 
capital of Goobur, near which the sultan Eello was then encamped, 
with the forces from Soccatoo ; and which place they intended to 
take before they returned to Soccatoo. The Kano troops are 
considered to be the best, and found to be more orderly than any 
of the others, but, on the whole, they are the poorest, and the most 
inefficient I ever saw, or could have imagined. 
Saturday, 14th. — Morning cool and clear, but a heavy dew had 
made me quite wet and chilly. At 5. 40 A. M. left our encamp- 
ment, the path generally skirting along the banks of the lake. 
Saw the traces of elephants every where, and last night the lions were 
roaring close to the camp. The heat of the sun from nine in the 
morning to three in the afternoon was the most oppressive I had 
ever felt it; and the dust raised by the number of men, and animals 
all pressing forward as hard as they could, made the air at times 
quite suffocating ; and now that we are supposed to be surrounded 
by enemies, it is who shall be foremost : no halting is allowed. My 
servant, with a load on his head, was obliged to lead on the fatigued 
bullock ; and I, with another servant, managed to drive it along at 
a quick pace, but not without incessant beating, which, in a country 
like ours, famed for its humanity, would have appeared extreme 
cruelty ; but a man will do many things here in Africa, that his 
humanity would revolt at in our more happy country. 
At 4. 40 P. M. halted along with the camp, fatigued and low- 
spirited ; for what with the loss of my horse and camel, and what 
is still worse than all, my books and journal, leaving me only some 
loose paper and a pencil ; when I beheld my servants carrying 
loads on their heads, and myself assisting and encouraging them to 
drive beyond its speed a poor scabbed and worn out bullock along 
the road ; and when I have no prospect before me, but to subsist 
on water and boiled Indian corn, I cannot but feel a disposition to 
