After a very uncomfortable night, and not much refreshed, we re-commenced at day-break, on the 27th July, our journey, but without breakfast. We had met with but little hospitality in this town, consequently our presents were not many in return. We were escorted to the outer gates by the chief, who is vested with the sole government, and his order is peremptory law amongst the subjects of this and several other towns. But although styled king, he can at any moment be divested of his power by the real monarch of the Fellattah country. As soon as we had parted with our friend and his people, we began to think of obtaining something to eat, being aware, that if at any distance from a town or kroom, we could not procure any corn, as it is only in the neighbourhood of towns or villages that the land is cultivated. We very soon had an opportunity of filling our havresacks, and not long afterwards I had the good fortune to shoot a Guinea fowl, of an uncommon description, at least to me, as I had seen but very few previous to this. This bird was very large, and of a jet-black colour: even the legs were as black as a sloe. This good fortune seemed to cheer my men, who before seemed very low in spirits; and, to be candid, I was not entirely void of the same feeling myself. The path from Assofoodah[13] bears N. 45° W., varying from 45° W. to 10°, 25°, and 20° (true). The country was still level, the soil varying from gravel to a sort of ruddle, used in marking sheep, similar to some soils in England. This, when wet, seems greasy, and is very slippery. It is very productive. At four miles we arrived at a small town, strongly fenced in with a prickly hedge, at least twenty yards broad, and strongly walled inside, each fence having a strong gate, as well as being guarded by a sentinel or watchman. Here we halted at the inner gate, till a messenger acquainted the caboceer with our arrival. We were not long before the caboceer came, attended by two priests (Mahomedan), who, as they advanced, repeated passages of the Koran, at the same time holding out a small book about three inches wide, and four inches and a half long, with not more than a dozen leaves of a curious sort of paper, resembling rice paper. This ceremony was something entirely new to me, consequently I felt not a little confused, not knowing the meaning of it. I was soon, however, set at ease through my interpreter, who, though he was one of the Dahoman soldiers, was a native of some part of the Fellattah country. I was determined to wait patiently to see what would be expected of me, never offering to pay any compliment, though I could scarcely help thinking that they had already been paying me one, which I had not yet returned. My interpreter, however, assured me that this was a customary form upon a friendly reception of strangers.