Nov. 9, 1857.] NOTES FROM THE MISSION TO CENTRAL AFRICA. 
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Gongola, which has its source in a mountainous district 40 miles 
south-west of Yacoba, and runs from the W.S.W. towards E.N.E., 
and therefore in the opposite direction, but parallel to the Chadda, 
and in the same direction with the Y r eou, from which river it is 
separated by a low plateau, about 300 feet high and 40 miles broad. 
Fifteen miles W.S.W. of a small Bornu town called Gabbei, in 
about 11° 40' North latitude, and 11° 20' East longitude, the 
Gongola makes a sudden bend towards the South, and after a course 
of about 100 miles more empties itself into the Chadda. In 
Gornbe I was received very kindly by the Sultan. Thence I reached 
in four days Yacoba, on ascending a large granite plateau of about 
2500 feet elevation, densely populated by heathen tribes, most of 
them entirely naked, and wearing pieces of wood of from one to 
two inches in diameter in their perforated upper and under lips. 
Two hours after my arrival in Bautshi, I was informed by the 
governor that I had to leave the place immediately, as he suspected 
me to be a spy of the Bohari, a marauding Felatah tribe, residing 
in the neighbourhood of Katagum, and, I am sorry to say, aided 
and protected by the Sultan of Bornu ; the Sultan of Bautshi having 
been already during seven years absent at a place three days N.N.W. 
from the capital, waging war with a neighbouring Kerdie tribe, the 
Sonoma. I had some trouble in getting permission from the governor 
of the town for Corporal Macguire and my servants to remain, in 
order to make the necessary preparations for my projected journey 
to Adamawa. I myself left on the second day for the camp of the 
Sultan Sanyanni Bautshi, accompanied by only one servant. The 
Sultan received me very kindly, and kept me at his place for forty 
days, during which time I nearly fell a victim to the climate. 
After having suffered from dysentery for thirty-five days, I 
thought that change of air would be the only means of saving my 
life, and the Sultan not giving permission for my departure, I was 
obliged to leave his place secretly, being so weak that my people 
were obliged to lash me to the saddle. Arrived in Yacoba, I found 
all preparations for a farther journey made, but at the same time, to 
my regret, Macguire so ill, that it became necessary to move 
immediately for a more healthy district. We both rallied in a few 
days after leaving Yacoba, which is dreaded on account of its 
excessive unhealthiness. This circumstance is the more surprising, 
as Yacoba is situated on a high dry plateau, thickly studded with 
granitic mountains of the most extraordinary shape. On the last 
of April we crossed the Chadda, exactly at the spot which the 
steamer Pleiad had reached ; numerous empty pickle and brandy 
bottles giving sure evidence that Englishmen had been there. We 
