248 
RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO AND MAGARIA. 
again was unsuccessful. Though the traces of game of all kinds were 
numerous, yet I saw nothing but one flock of antelopes, which I 
could not get near ; guinea-fowl were in plenty, but as shy as be- 
fore. The hills were composed of loose clay, iron-stone rocks on the 
surface, and a red clay and sand for the depth of about four or five 
feet, then a dull whitish or rather bluish clay, containing shining 
particles of mica underneath. Several of the stones had rounded 
pebbles imbedded in them ; others were, on breaking, like yellow 
ochre; the outer surfaces of all as if they had been burnt in the 
fire. This is owing to the weather I suppose, as well as the ap- 
pearance of having been melted from the rains and sand beating on 
them, and wearing away the soft parts. The blocks of rock never 
exceed six feet square when loose, and when covering a flat, never 
above three or four feet thick over the clay soil. I forgot to men- 
tion that the greater number, when broke, present a glistening or 
shining appearance, like iron-ore, and that they are much heavier 
than pieces of sandstone of the same bulk. After tiring myself 
amongst the hills to no purpose, and I and my guides being very 
thirsty, we went across to the north, to a small lake on the flat or 
plain, to drink. Here I fell in with a party of Fellata girls washing 
their gourds, from which their people, who had a temporary bullock 
or cattle village close at hand, under the shade of some large 
adansonia (kouka trees), had just gone out on the flats with their 
cattle. They gave me curdled milk and water to drink; after which 
I lay down by the side of the lake, and took the bridle off my horse, 
to let him enjoy himself also amongst the fine green grass. 
Wednesday, 14th. — I did not go out to-day, as I had had such 
bad success, and was too much fatigued. A courier arrived from 
the Gadado, bringing intelligence of the Sheik El Kanemi being 
defeated with great loss, and that he had fled towards Bornou ; the 
governors of F udba and Zegzeg had beaten him ; and that the go- 
vernor of Kano had joined them, with all his forces, in the rear. 
