dragging it upon the ground; my feet were then
stroked with the fowl in the same manner as those
of the horse, and I was requested to stoop, so as to
enable him to wave the bird around my head ; this
completed, it was also waved round' my horse’s head,
who showed his appreciation of the ceremony by
rearing and lashing out behind, to the great discomfiture
of the natives. The fowl did not appear to have
enjoyed itself during the operation ; but the knife put
an end to its troubles, as the ceremony of welcome
being, completed, the bird was sacrificed and handed to
my headman. I was now conducted to the villafOr e*
I t was defended by a high bamboo fence, and was
miserably dirty, forming a great contrast to the clean
dwellings of the Bari and Latooka tribes. The hill
upon which the village was built was about eighty feet
above the general level of the. country, and afforded a
fine view of the surrounding landscape. On the east
was the chain of Madi mountains, the base well wooded,
while to the south all was fine open pasturage of sweet
herbage, about a foot high, a totally different grass to
the rank vegetation we had passed through. The
country was undulating, and every rise was crowned
by a village. Although the name of the district is
Farajoke, it is comprised in the extensive country
of Sooli, together with the Shoggo and Madi
tribes, all towns being under the command of petty
chiefs.
The general elevation of the country was 3,966
feet above the sea-level, 292 feet higher th#n
Obbo.
The chief of Farajoke, observing me engaged in
taking bearings with the compass, was anxious to
know my object, which being explained, he volunteered
all information respecting the country, and
assured me that it would be quite impossible to cross
the Asua during the rainy season, as it was a violent
torrent, rushing over a rocky bed with such impetuosity,
that no one would venture to swim it. There
was nothing to be done at this season, and however
trying to the patience, there was no alternative.
Farajoke was within three days’ hard marching of
Faloro,- the station of Debono, that had always been
my projected head-quarters ; thus I was well advanced
upon my intended route, and had the season been
propitious, I could have proceeded with my baggage
animals without difficulty.
The loss of my horse “ Filfil ” was a severe blow in
this wild region, where beasts of burthen were unknown,
and I had slight hopes of his recovery, as lions
were plentiful in the country between Obbo and
Farajoke ; however, I offered a reward of beads and