32 
NOTES FROM THE MISSION TO CENTRAL AFRICA. [Nov. 9, 1857. 
.found the Sultan of Hamarua in a a small village, Tindang, a day 
south from the river, and to my regret, at war with the heathen 
tribe of Bashama, through whose country is the only road practicable 
for horses to Adamawa. The Sultan told me that Mohamet el 
Amwel from Yola had, in vain, attempted to open a communication 
. with him, as a body of Bornu horsemen had joined the enemy. I 
must observe that all the numerous bands of robbers which infest 
Southern Sudan are openly protected and aided by the Sheik 
‘ Amur ’ of Bornu, who takes a tribute from them, amounting to 
thirty slaves for every successful marauding expedition. After 
having waited nearly a month at Tindang for the opening of the 
road, I was reluctantly obliged to give up my attempted journey to 
Adamawa, but not until I was assured that this state of things 
would last at least six months longer ; the Sultan of Yola having been 
beaten back w T ith great loss ; and not until a small Sokatu caravan 
which had tried to open the road was destroyed only half a 
day’s distance from Tindang. On retracing my steps, I took a 
new route direct to Gombe through the countries of the cannibal 
tribes Yemyem and Tangale, very seldom even visited by the 
inhabitants of the surrounding country. The country is very 
mountainous, and the travelling exceedingly difficult. The Tangale 
inhabit a high chain of mountains on the banks of the Chadda, 
with a tine peak very much resembling Adam-peak in the island 
of Ceylon. In the middle of June I arrived at Gombe, having 
lost nearly all my luggage-animals ; and after having sold part of 
the remainder of my merchandise, I proceeded on an expedition 
to Salia, being obliged to leave Macguire behind in Gombe with 
the rest of my property and to take care of the few remaining 
horses. During his stay of two months and a half, he experienced 
the greatest hospitality and kindness as well from the Sultan as 
from the inhabitants of the place. My journey to Salia, during the 
height of the rainy season, without tent and scarcely any luggage, 
was very difficult on account of the inundated state of the low 
country, and the lofty chains of mountains I had to cross. I regret 
that in crossing a small river I lost the numerous plants I had 
collected, also my thermometers, boiling water apparatus, and the 
better part of my merchandise. Two days from Bautshi I had to 
cross the Yeou at its source, and three days from Salia two little rivers 
flowing west, and emptjdng themselves into the Niger. I reached 
Salia towards the end of July, and was very well received by the 
governor, in the absence of the Sultan. This town is the largest in 
the interior of Africa, about 10 miles in circumference, with a ditch 
and an excellent wall about 15 feet high. The inhabitants do not 
