View of Tínge 314 Isolated Cones of Hómbori Range 324 Native Huts and Corn-stacks 325 View of Dúna 326 Peculiar Thatchwork 329 Hómbori Range 330 Variety of Huts at Ísayé 331 Cliffs resembling artificial Fortification 334 Castellated Mounts 335 Interior of Imóshagh Tent 340 Mounts of Núggera 342 Flat-topped Cones 346 View of Bámbara 354 Ground-plan of my Quarters in Timbuktu 449 „ Timbúktu 478 TRAVELS AND DISCOVERIES IN AFRICA. * * * * * CHAPTER LIII. DEPARTURE FOR TIMBÚKTU. — THE HILLY NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES OF BÓRNU. The death of Mr. Overweg, happening at a period when the prospects of the mission just began to brighten, induced me to relinquish my original plan of once more trying my fortune in Kánem and on the N.E. shores of the Tsád, as an undertaking too dangerous for me in my isolated position, and the results of which could not reasonably be expected to be great, even with the protection of a small force, in a disturbed country, in comparison with the dangers that accompanied it. Besides, such was the character of the horde of the Welád Slimán and their mode of warfare, that after having received the sanction of the British Government for my proceedings, and being authorised by them to carry out the objects of the mission as at first projected, I could scarcely venture to associate myself again with such a lawless set of people. I therefore determined to direct my whole attention towards the west, in order to explore the countries situated on the middle course of the great western river the Ísa, or the so-called Niger, and at the same time to establish friendly relations with the powerful ruler of the empire of Sókotó, and to obtain full permission for myself or other Europeans to visit the south-eastern provinces of his empire, especially Ádamáwa, which I had been prevented from fully exploring by the real or pretended fear of the governor of that province, to grant such a permission without the sanction of his liege lord.