When quite fatigued, Major Denham determined on making for some huts, and begged a little milk, sweet or sour.  No knowing landlady of a country ever scanned the character of her customer more than did this untaught, though cunning negro, who was found there.  He first denied that he had any, notwithstanding the bowls were scarcely ten paces behind him, and then asked, what they had got to pay for it?  Major Denham had in reality nothing with him; and after offering his pocket handkerchief, which was returned to him, as not worth any thing, he was about to depart, though ten long miles from the tents, thirsty as he was, when the Arab pointed to a needle, which was sticking in the major’s jacket; for this and a white bead, which the Arab produced, they had a bowl of fine milk and a basket of nuts, which refreshed them much.  On their way to the tents, they saw a flock of at least five hundred pelicans, but could not get near enough to fire at them.

On the 11th, two of the sheik’s officers arrived, with letters and a present of goroo nuts of Soudan; they have a pleasant bitter taste, and are much esteemed by all the Tripoli people.  These letters pressed Boo Khaloom to continue his march towards Kouka, with all his people, a very great proof of his confidence in the peaceable disposition of their chief.  In the evening of the same day, they reached a town called Burwha.  It is walled, and it was the first negro one they had seen.  It may be called in that country a place of some strength, in proof of which, the inhabitants have always defied the Tuarick marauders, who never entered the town.  The walls may be about thirteen or fourteen feet high, and have a dry ditch which runs quite round them.  The town probably covers an extent equal to three square miles, and contains five or six thousand inhabitants.  There is a covered way, from which the defenders lance their spears at the besiegers, and instantly conceal themselves.  There are but two gates, which are nearly east and west; and these being the most vulnerable part for an enemy to attack, are defended by mounds of earth thrown up on each side, and carried out at least twenty yards in front of the gate, and have nearly perpendicular faces.  These advanced posts are always thickly manned, and they conceive them to be a great defence to their walls; they cannot, however, calculate upon their being abandoned, as an enemy once in possession of them, would so completely command the town, that from thence every part of it may be seen.  Nevertheless, Burwha is a strong place, considering the means of attack which the Arabs have.