My friend and old acquaintance, the Tripoli man, seemed anxious to learn something of the steamers composing the Niger expedition. It appeared that he was quite acquainted with the disastrous fate of that expedition, and also with the abandonment of the model farm, which he says he himself visited after he saw me at Egga. He says that the natives regretted much the abandonment of the farm, but the people are still in hopes of our again returning to trade with them. So that though the lives of many good men were sacrificed, the expedition has excited an inclination to trade, which must always be the leading means of civilization. The King now sent his messengers to ask if I had finished my palaver, as he wished me and the merchant to pay him a visit at his palace. Thither we accompanied the messenger, and found his Majesty seated cross-legged on a square piece of Turkey carpet. He had two large brass pans beside him, without any contents, consequently I suppose they were merely used as ornaments. He had two of his principals sitting close by him; these were his principal malaams. Upon my approach he rose from his position, and shook hands with me, and then reseated himself on a low, richly-carved stool, the malaams each nursing a leg on their lap. The sun was now set, and this interview was by torch-light. The King asked a great many questions about the sovereign of my country, and when told that the monarch was a woman he seemed confounded. He next asked me if she had many husbands, and when I told him that she had only one, he shrunk up his shoulders. He then inquired if she went out to war in person. In fact, his inquiries were endless. Our palaver lasted about an hour, at the end of which we were allowed to retire. We returned to the house of the merchant, where we had supper, and were afterwards accommodated with a comfortable mat and cloth to sleep upon. I slept very soundly, and did not awake till aroused by the noise of people getting their goods ready for the market. There are several markets in this town, consequently they are held on different days. I arose, and the Bahia cook had prepared some delicious dishes for my breakfast. The poor fellow seemed quite delighted to attend to my wants. At breakfast I ate by myself, the merchant preferring other dishes. I made inquiry respecting the distance to Timbuctoo. He said that he had come from Timbuctoo in ten days, by commencing his journey before the sun, and travelling all day, only stopping to eat once. I found by comparing the day’s journey that he had come from the Dabadab Mountains. Thirty miles was about his day’s journey. He described Timbuctoo as not nearly so large as Adofoodia, and that it was only remarkable as a mart for the exchange of goods as being convenient for that purpose. It is a great salt market, but has no manufacture.