Jan. 11, 1858.] REPORTS FROM THE NIGER EXPEDITION. 
93 
metropolitan parks. Tlie estimation I obtained from some of tbe 
principal men as to tbe circumference of Ilorin was between “ five 
days’ walk ” and “ five days’ bard riding witb a very fast borse.” I 
now songbt an early interview witb tbe Balogon, obtained from 
liim tbe mails, wbicb were left at Ilorin nearly a month previously, 
and pressed upon bim my speedy departure. He assured me of bis 
intention of looking for a borse for me “ to-morrow,” so that I 
might start tbe next day. He strongly impressed upon me bis great 
desire to have a tent or some canvas to make a bouse for bis use on 
war expeditions, wbicb I have strongly recommended to Dr. Baikie. 
About 4 p.m. on Sunday, 8th November, 1857, provided witb a 
tolerable borse and two messengers in addition to my own party, I 
left Ilorin, having at the last moment, at tbe request of tbe Balogon, 
illustrated tbe advantages and effects of my five-barrelled revolver, 
which filled bim and tbe crowd witb astonishment and delight, and 
of course elicited the request that when I came back I would bring 
one similar for bim. 
Tbe invariable mode of travelling between Ilorin and Ogbomosho 
(Ibomasha), my next town, is to leave tbe former at this hour, reach- 
ing a farm or small village just before dark. Here I learnt that my 
borse could not be permitted to pass without a special messenger from 
tbe king authorising it. Whilst hundreds were setting out tbe next 
morning on tbe long day’s journey to Ogbomosho, I was thus detained 
until noon, and by 7 p.m. bad not reached my destination, and was 
compelled to bait in tbe bush. A ludicrous instance of African 
hospitality wbicb occurred to me here will more clearly show tbe 
kindly feelings of tbe people of this country than I should be able to 
explain. After settling ourselves on tbe roadside under some trees, 
our voices attracted tbe attention of a farmer and bis family in tbe 
vicinity, who, approaching us and discovering who we were, soon 
offered us such accommodation as the farmhouse a little way off 
afforded. We accepted, and, after a tedious walk, arrived at it, 
and were furnished witb a mat, and afterwards witb a portion of 
food, by wbicb time I discovered that the ground was still to be our 
couch and tbe sky our canopy, as tbe but was no larger than neces- 
sary for their own accommodation. At 4 a.m. on tbe morning of 
tbe 10th I left this hospitable abode, and, after meeting a fresh 
borse and messengers sent to me by Mr. Clarke, tbe resident Ame- 
rican missionary, arrived soon after 6 at Ogbomosho. 
Accompanied by my messengers, I soon sought an official inter- 
view witb tbe chief, was introduced, and repeated my explanations, 
&c., and after a friendly reception was promised an answer “ to- 
morrow.” Mr. Bowen, an American Baptist missionary, who after 
very many obstacles penetrated to this place and established a mis- 
i 2 
