Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
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John Lander,
However, Having Experienced A Relapse, His Sufferings Were Such As To
Prevent Him Leaving The Hut, And His Brother Was, Therefore, Obliged
To Go Alone.
After a pleasant walk of about two miles, he arrived at
the habitation of the minister, by whom he
Was very kindly received.
The compliments of the day only were exchanged between them, and the
numerous wives, and large family of the master of the house, who are
on these occasions generally exhibited to a stranger, having amply
gratified their curiosity by an examination of his person, the
interview terminated and he presently returned to his abode, after
promising to visit the minister again on the following day.
Bohoo lies north-east of Acboro, and is built on the slope of a very
gentle and fertile hill, at whose base flows a stream of milk-white
water, and behind which is the Fellata hamlet already mentioned. Its
immense triple wall is little short of twenty miles in circuit; but
besides huts and gardens, it encloses a vast number of acres of
excellent meadow land, in which bullocks, sheep, and goats feed
indiscriminately. By the hasty view obtained of it, the town in some
degree resembled Kano, but there is no large swamp like that which
intersects the latter city. Bohoo was formerly the metropolis of
Youriba, but about half a century ago, the reigning prince preferring
the plain at Katunga, the seat of government was transferred there,
since which Bohoo has materially declined in wealth, population, and
consequence, although it is still considered a place of great
importance, and the second town in the kingdom. It is bounded on all
sides by hills of gradual ascent, which are prettily wooded, and
commands an extensive horizon. The land in the vicinity of the town
presents a most inviting appearance, by no means inferior to any part
of England in the most favourable season of the year. It appears to
be duly appreciated by the Fellatas, so great a number of whom reside
with their flocks in different parts, that the minister candidly
declared he could not give any information of their amount. These
foreigners sell their milk, butter, and cheese in the market at a
reasonable rate. The latter is made into little cakes about an inch
square, and when fried in butter is very palatable. It is of the
consistence and appearance of the white of an egg, boiled hard.
Agreeably to the promise which Richard Lander made to the chief, he
left his brother to the care of old Pascoe and his wife, and hastened
to pay his respects to the chief's head man or minister. It appears
that this man was placed in his present situation by the king of
Katunga, as a kind of spy on the actions of the governor, who can do
nothing of a public nature, without in the first place consulting
him, and obtaining his consent to the measure. Yet he conducted
himself so well in his disagreeable office, that he won the good
will, not only of the governor of the town, but also its inhabitants.
A kind of rivalry existed between the minister and his master, but
then it was a rivalry in good and not in bad actions.
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