182 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
ing if not harmonious flourish of trumpets, and he 
finally reached Falaba, the capital of the country. 
The king received Laing with special marks of esteem. 
He had assembled a large body of troops whom he passed 
in review, making them execute various manoeuvres 
accompanied by the blowing of trumpets, beating of 
tambourines, and the playing of violins and other native 
instruments. This “ fantasia ” almost deafened the 
BIG GAME. 
visitor. Then came a number of guiriots, who sang of 
the greatness of the king, the happy arrival of the major, 
with the fortunate results which were to ensue from his 
visit for the prosperity of the country and the develop¬ 
ment of commerce. 
Laing profited by the king’s friendliness to ask his 
permission to visit the sources of the Niger, but was 
answered by all manner of objections on the score of the 
danger of the expedition. At last, however, his majesty 
