WOODCUTS. Granary 176 Harpoon 237 Ornamented Granary 249 Ground-plan of Building 250 Ground-plan of Palace in Logón Bírni 292 Ground-plan of Town of Más-eñá _to face_ 388 ERRATA, VOL III. Page 203., line 6. read “south-_west_” instead of “south-east.” „ 240., „ 5. from below, “_southerly_” instead of “westerly.” „ 298., „ 16. “wórzi” _or_ “berdí” instead of “wórzi berdí.” TRAVELS AND DISCOVERIES IN AFRICA. * * * * * CHAPTER XXXVIII. RAINY SEASON IN KÚKAWA. I had left Kúkawa on my journey to Ádamáwa in the best state of health, but had brought back from that excursion the germs of disease; and residence in the town, at least at this period of the year, was not likely to improve my condition. It would certainly have been better for me, had I been able to retire to some more healthy spot; but trivial though urgent business obliged me to remain in Kúkawa. It was necessary to sell the merchandize which had at length arrived, in order to keep the mission in some way or other afloat, by paying the most urgent debts and providing the necessary means for further exploration. There was merchandize to the value of one hundred pounds sterling; but, as I was obliged to sell the things at a reduced rate for ready money, the loss was considerable; for all business in these countries is transacted on two or three months’ credit, and, after all, payment is made, not in ready money, but chiefly in slaves. It is no doubt very necessary for a traveller to be provided with those various articles which form the presents to be made to the chiefs, and which are in many districts required for bartering; but he ought not to depend upon their sale for the supply of his wants. Altogether it is difficult to carry on trade in conjunction with extensive geographical research, although a person sitting quietly down in a place, and entering into close relations with the natives, might collect a great deal of interesting information, which would probably escape the notice of the roving traveller, whose purpose is rather to explore distant regions. Besides, I was obliged to make numerous presents to my friends, in order to keep them in good humour, and had very often not only to provide dresses for themselves and their wives, but even for their domestic retainers; so that, all things considered, the supply of one hundred pounds’ worth of merchandize could not last very long.