Chapter X

Preparations for Niam-niam campaign—Generosity of Aboo Sammat—
Organisation of the caravan—Ceremonies at starting—Banner
of Islam—Travelling costume—Terminalia forest—Hartebeest
chase—Ahmed the Liar—Prospect from Mbala Ngeea—Bivouac on
the Lehssy—Camp noises at night—Story of cannibalism—
Ahmed’s fate—The Ibba—First meeting with Niam-niam—Growth
of the popukky-grass—Elephant-hunting among the Niam-niam—
Surprise at the white man—Visit to Nganye—A chieftain’s
household—Entertainment by Nganye—Gumba—Colocasia—A
Niam-niam minstrel—Beauty of the Zowa-trees—Encephalartus
on the hill of Gumango—Cultivated districts on the Rye—
Condition of hamlets and farms—Devastation of Bendo’s
district—Contest with the soldiers—Escape from a bullet—
Identity of the Sway and the Dyoor—The law of drainage—
Passage of the Manzilly—First primeval forest—Frontier
wildernesses—Organisation in the geography of plants—
Importance of guinea-fowl to the traveller—Feeding the
bearers—National diet 415