192 
FROM KANO TO SOCCATOO. 
the south-west sides of the hills. Our road lay through plantations 
of cotton and millet. The sides of the road were crowded by the 
foot, with whom we were now come up. They looked miserable 
in the extreme from hunger and fatigue : a great many of the 
horsemen were walking, driving their poor goaded animals along. 
At noon I arrived and halted at Magaria, a straggling town built 
among the hills, which was now a second range closing in to the 
north. This town is the sansan, or gathering place for their 
armies, and is mostly inhabited by the slaves of the great in Soccatoo, 
who have all houses here, and their slaves, who are employed in 
raising grain, and tending the cattle, mostly reside here, and in 
the villages around. The swampy plain, the river, and the lakes, 
extend about six miles to the westward, below Magaria ; and from 
its situation in the gap of the hills must be very unhealthy, from 
the north-east winds driving the vapours right through the town, 
which, in fact, is situated on the borders of the swamp. 
Morning clear. At 7 left Magaria, the Gadado and sultan having 
sent to me the evening before, to say, if I wished to go to Soccatoo 
and remain there, until they joined me, I might do so ; as they in- 
tended to stay for some days in Magaria, to see if the enemy was 
disposed to make an attack on them. I availed myself of this per- 
mission ; indeed I had met with nothing hut losses and difficulties 
since 1 had joined the Fellata army. I therefore set out, and passed 
over a fertile country. Every spot capable of cultivation was 
planted with millet and dourra, which was in fine condition. In 
this district, they had a scarcity last year, and the year before, and 
many of the people had perished for want. 
After crossing the hills, which were composed of loose pieces 
of iron clay-stone, covered with sand, to the depth of a foot, I arrived 
at the river which runs close to the foot of the ridge or hill on 
which Soccatoo stands. The banks were crowded with people 
