s ingratitude, ordered that he should be forthwith sold to the
Tibboo merchants, for he was still a slave. The other chiefs, however,
falling on their knees, petitioned that their favourite general might be
forgiven. The culprit at that moment appeared to take his leave. The
sheikh, on this, threw himself back on his carpet, wept like a child,
and suffered Barca Gana to embrace his knees, and, calling them all his
sons, pardoned his penitent slave.

Poor Dr Oudney had never risen since his return from Munga, and
Clapperton and Hillman were also dangerously ill.

News now arrived that a caravan was on its way from the north. This was
gratifying intelligence, as the expedition hoped to obtain letters and
remittances by it.

Hillman had manufactured some carriages for two brass guns, which had
been sent to the sheikh from Tripoli. The sheikh was delighted when the
major, the only person capable of attending to them, fired them off. He
now thought himself able to attack all who might become hostile to him.

On the 14th of December Mr Clapperton and Dr Oudney, having somewhat
recovered, set out with a large _kafila_, bound to Kano in Soudan. Dr
Oudney, however, was in a very unfit state to travel, being almost in
the last stage of consumption. A few days after they had gone, a
_kafila_ arrived from the north, and with it came a young ensign of the
80th Regiment, Mr Toole, who had taken the place of Mr Tyrwhit,
detained on account of sickness. Major Denham was much pleased with his
appearance and manners--his countenance, indeed, being an irresistible
letter of introduction. He had made the long journey from Tripoli to
Bornou in three months and fourteen days, arriving with only the loss of
five camels. Denham's spirits revived with the society of so pleasant a
friend, and he determined to take the first opportunity of visiting the
Shary and Loggun. The sheikh willingly gave them permission, appointing
a handsome negro, Belial, to act as their guide and manager. He was
altogether a superior person, and was attended by six slaves. These,
with themselves and personal attendants, formed their party.

Their journey was commenced on the 23rd of January, 1824. After leaving
Angornou, they proceeded east, along the borders of the lake, to Angala,
where resided Miram, the divorced wife of the sheikh, El Kanemy, in a
fine house--her establishment exceeding sixty persons. She was a very
handsome, beautifully-formed