With flocks of sheep and goats, and abundance of
pigs and poultry, mixed together indiscriminately.
Shea lies four miles E. by S. of Jaguta. The governor of the town
presented them with a pig, and a quantity of country beer, and they
also received little presents of provisions from a few of the people.
May the 9th was on a Sunday, and they were invited to witness an
exhibition of tumbling; it was with great reluctance that the
invitation was accepted, not only on account of the sanctity of the
day, but for the delay which it would occasion them. They, however,
considered it politic to lay aside their religious scruples, and they
attended the exhibition mounted on their horses. As soon as it was
over, they were escorted out of the town by beat of drum, preceded by
an armed horseman, and an unarmed drummer, and continued their
journey, followed by a multitude of the inhabitants.
They passed through a very large walled town called Esalay, about six
miles from Shea, but its wall was dilapidated, and the habitations of
the people in ruins, and almost all deserted. This town, which was
not long since well inhabited, has been reduced to its present
desolate and miserable state, by the protection which its ruler
granted to an infamous robber, whose continued assaults on
defenceless travellers, and his cruelty to them, at length attracted
the notice of the king of Katunga.
