When travelling in the bush, several men in the train of a fatakie wear a large iron ring on the thumb and middle finger; to the latter a piece of plate iron is attached, with which they make signals to each other, and the fatakie, when apart, by clinking the rings.  This method of communication is very significant, and it is understood as well, and is as promptly answered or obeyed, as the boatswain’s whistle on board a ship.  The collision of the rings produces a harsh, grating noise, loud enough to be heard at a considerable distance.

The mere crossing of a little stream, which a person might almost have jumped over, introduced them into a country very different from Yarriba, which was inhabited by a different people, speaking a different language, professing a different religion, and whose manners, customs, amusements, and pursuits were altogether different.

The village in which they halted was called Moussa, after the river, and is distant from Keeshee, in a northerly direction, as nearly as they could guess, about sixteen miles.  The Landers occupied a large round hut, called by the natives of that country catamba, in the Houssa language sowley, and in the Bornou coozie.  In the centre of it is the trunk of a large tree, which supports the roof; it has two apertures for doors, which are opposite each other, and directly over them, suspended from the wall, are a couple of charms, written in the Arabic character on bits of paper, which are to preserve the premises from being destroyed by fire.

It was now eleven o’clock at night; their attendants were reposing on mats and skins in various parts of the hut.  Bows and arrows and quivers ornamented with cows’ tails, together with muskets, pistols, swords, lances, and other weapons, were either hanging on the wall or resting against it.  The scene was wild and singular, and quite bordering on, if not really romantic.  Outside the hut it was still more striking:  there, though it rained and thundered, the remainder of the fatakie, consisting of men, women, and children, were sitting on the ground in groups, or sleeping near several large fires, which were burning almost close to the hut, whilst others were lying under the shelter of large spreading trees in its immediate vicinity.  The only apparel which they wear, was drawn over their half-naked persons, their weapons were at their sides, and their horses were grazing near them.  Most of the people retired to rest without food, yet they slept soundly, and appeared quite happy and comfortable after their day’s exertion and fatigue.  One of the men fainted on the road from exhaustion, and remained very feverish and unwell.