290 
FROM SOCCATOO TO DUNRORA. 
and torrents of rain, which threatened to wash down our tent. The 
country traversed to-day and yesterday, though level, is picturesque 
and beautiful; all nature wears a gay and lively aspect; the soil 
rich, and of a deep red colour. 
4tli. — At eight this morning, after drying the tent, proceeded; 
and at eleven reached the foot of a high and craggy mountain, 
called Almena, consisting of gigantic blocks of granite, fearfully 
piled on each other, and seeming ready to fall to the ground below. 
They much resemble the rocks near the Logan-stone, in Cornwall, 
but infinitely larger. Mahomet, my servant, who is acquainted with 
the traditions of the natives of every part of this country, and had 
travelled far and near, gave me the following story : — “ About 500 
years ago a queen of the Fantee nation, having quarrelled with her 
husband about a golden stool, fled from her dominions with a great 
number of her subjects, and built a large town at the foot of this 
mountain, which she called Almena, from which it took its name.” 
The town was surrounded with a stone wall, as the ruins which 
now remain plainly attest. Crossed three small streams in the 
day, flowing in a north-westerly direction. At 3 P. M. passed a 
small walled town called Gowgee ; and at four halted at Gatas, 
which it exactly resembled. Here I met with some Kano mer- 
chants from C-uttup. The inhabitants of Gatas, discovering by 
some means my being a Christian, came in crowds to see me ; but 
behaved in a quiet and orderly manner. I invited some of the 
most respectable of the females into my tent, which they greatly 
admired, and shortly afterwards presented me with milk and fcorah. 
The natives of this, as well as every other town 1 have seen in this 
direction, are of Houssa, but tributary to the Fellatas. 
5th. — At five in the morning were again on the road, and 
halted at the south side of Damoy, a small walled town, at 2 P. M. 
The inhabitants of this town informed me that the range of hills 
I have mentioned extended to the salt water, and are inhabited 
