RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO AND MAGARIA. 
207 
mother, attempted to usurp the government of the latter, at the 
death of the Sheik Othman ; but his brother put him down, and 
confined him to his house for twelve months ; and they are now as 
good friends as before. 
Bello extended the walls of Soccatoo, which is now the largest 
and most populous town in the interior that I have seen. Within 
these walls live all the children which Danfodio had by his dif- 
ferent wives and concubines, very quietly and without splendour, 
except Atego, who is a mean fellow, but keeps a large establishment. 
At the death of Danfodio, in the year of the Hegira 1282 (in 1816 
of ours), the province of the Goobur, Zamfra, part of Kashna, and 
Zegzeg, threw off the yoke of the Fellatas, and put the whole of 
them to death that they could lay their hands on. Since that 
time, Bello has retaken the greater part of Goobur ; part of Zamfra, 
and Guari, the southern part of Kashna, have made their peace, 
as also part of Cubbe ; but on this condition, that they shall be ruled 
by their native chiefs, and the Fellatas not to interfere with them. 
Since my arrival, he has also got back the greater part of Nyffe. 
Youri has, since 1822, joined in the rebellion, being forced by the 
people of Zamfra, who at all times can command that province, if 
not supported by Cubbe or Soccatoo. The governor is to be he- 
reditary, not like most of the other provinces and kingdoms in 
the interior, where the oldest relation always succeeds. 
The city of Soccatoo stands on the top of a low hill, or rising 
ground, having a river passing at a short distance from the northern 
wall. It is formed of the united branches of the several streams, which 
take their rise to the south of Kashna, and flow past Zirmie. 
Having passed Soccatoo, it crosses the district of Cubbe in a south- 
westerly direction, and at the distance of four days' journey enters 
the Quorra. It is well stored with fish, which afford the poor 
people of Soccatoo a very considerable part of their food. The 
city is surrounded by a wall, about twenty-four feet high, and a dry 
