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My Camels.-Real Start.-First Day's March.-Kánembú Hamlets.-Ngégimi.—
Small Alarm.-Treatment of Slaves.-The Well Bedwáram and Macguire's
Death.-Desert of Tintúmma.-A'gadem.-Fatigue in the Desert.-Crystallized

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A "Bét" or E'nnefi, a small Leather Pouch, with three Pockets and Cover,

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66

66

Vol. i., page 208, line 3, read "Ramadhan" instead of "Rhámadán.” 361, line 14, read "tenth century" instead of "twelfth century." 582, line 26, add after the words "few huts" the words "This was the site of the celebrated town of Damasak."

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TRAVELS AND DISCOVERIES

IN

AFRICA.

CHAPTER LIII.

DEPARTURE FOR TIMBU'KTU.—THE HILLY NORTHWESTERN PROVINCES OF BO'RNU.

THE death of Mr. Overweg, happening at a period when the prospects of the mission just began to brighten, induced me to relinquish my original plan of once more trying my fortune in Kánem and on the N.E. shores of Tsád, as an undertaking too dangerous for me in my isolated position, and the results of which could not reasonably be expected to be great, even with the protection of a small force, in a disturbed country, in comparison with the dangers that accompanied it. Besides, such was the character of the horde of the Welád Slimán and their mode of warfare, that, after having received the sanction of the British government for my proceedings, and being authorized by them to carry out the objects of the mission as at first projected, I could scarcely venture to associate myself again with such a lawless set of people. I therefore determined to direct my whole attention toward the west, in order to explore the countries situated on the middle course of the great western river, the I'sa, or the so-called Niger, and at the same time to establish friendly relations with the pow erful ruler of the empire of Sókotó, and to obtain full permission for myself or other Europeans to visit the southeastern provinces of his empire, especially A'damáwa, which I had been prevented from fully exploring by the real or pretended fear of the governor of that province to grant such a permission without the sanction of his liege lord.

The treaty which I had at length succeeded in getting signed by the Sheikh of Bórnu and his vizier on the last of August, together with a map of all the parts of Central Africa which I had as yet visited, and containing at the same time all the information VOL. III.-B

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