round the side of a steep hill, the rocks above overhanging them in fearful uncertainty.  In every cleft of the hills, wherever there appeared the least soil, were cottages, surrounded with small plantations of millet, yams, and plantains, giving a beautiful variety to the rude scenery.  The road continued rising, hill above hill, for at least two miles, until their arrival at the large and populous town of Chaki, situated on the top of the very highest hill.  On every hand, on the hills, on the rocks, and crowding on the road, the inhabitants were assembled in thousands, the women welcoming them with holding up their hands, and chanting choral songs, and the men with the usual salutations, and every demonstration of joy.  The caboceer was seated on the outside of his house, surrounded by his ladies, his singing men, and singing women, his drums, fifes, and gong-gongs.  He was a good-looking man, about fifty years of age, with a pleasing countenance.  His house was all ready for the reception of the strangers, and he immediately procured for them a large supply of goats, sheep, and yams, pressing them strongly to stay a day or two with them.  He appeared to consider them as messengers of peace, come with blessings to his king and country.  Indeed a belief was very prevalent, and seems to have gone before them all the way, that they were charged with a commission to make peace wherever there was war, and to do good to every country through which they passed.  The caboceer of this town indeed told them so, and said he hoped that they would be enabled to settle the war with the Nyffee people and the Fellatas, and the rebellion of the Houssa slaves, who had risen against the king of Yariba.  When Lander shook hands with him, he passed his hand over the heads of his chiefs, as confirming on them a white man’s blessing.  He was more inquisitive and more communicative than any one whom they had yet seen.  He sat until nearly midnight, talking and inquiring about England.  On asking, if he would send one of his sons to see England, he rose up with alacrity, and said, he would go himself.  He inquired how many wives an Englishman had.  On being told only one, he seemed much astonished, and laughed greatly, as did all his people.  “What does he do,” said he, “when one of his wives has a child?  Our caboceer has two thousand!!”

On leaving Chaka, the caboceer escorted them several miles, attended by upwards of two hundred of his wives, one of whom was young and handsome.  The country was now extremely beautiful, clear of wood, and partly cultivated; and a number of Fellata villages were passed, the inhabitants of which live here as they do in most other parts of Soudan, a quiet and inoffensive pastoral life, unmolested by the black natives, and not interfering with their customs.