April 14. - As Queen Fatima had not yet arrived, Ali proposed to go
to the north and bring her back with him; but as the place was two
days' journey from Benowm it was necessary to have some refreshment
on the road; and Ali, suspicious of those about him, was so afraid
of being poisoned, that he never ate anything but what was dressed
under his own immediate inspection. A fine bullock was therefore
killed, and the flesh being cut up into thin slices, was dried in
the sun; and this, with two bags of dry kouskous, formed his
travelling provisions.
Previous to his departure, the black people of the town of Benowm
came, according to their annual custom, to show their arms, and
bring their stipulated tribute of corn and cloth. They were but
badly armed - twenty-two with muskets, forty or fifty with bows and
arrows, and nearly the same number of men and boys with spears only.
They arranged themselves before the tent, where they waited until
their arms were examined, and some little disputes settled.
About midnight on the 16th, Ali departed quietly from Benowm,
accompanied by a few attendants. He was expected to return in the
course of nine or ten days.
April 18. - Two days after the departure of Ali a shereef arrived
with salt and some other articles from Walet, the capital of the
kingdom of Biroo.
