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                 CHAP. XXXVI.



     MY RECEPTION IN TOLA.—SHORT STAY.—DISMISSAL.



At length I had reached the capital of A'damdwa,

having had altogether a very lucky  and successful

journey; but now all depended upon  the manner in

which I should be received in this place: for although

it was  quite  enough  to have  successfully penetrated

so far, after having discovered and crossed the upper

course of that large river, about the identity of which

with the Chadda there could  be little doubt, I enter¬

tained the  hope that  I might be allowed to penetrate

further south, and investigate at least part of the

basin of the river.   I had heard so much about the

fertile  character of those regions, that I was intensely

desirous to see something of them.

  It was an unfavourable circumstance that we arrived

on a Friday,  and just during the heat of the day.

The streets were almost deserted; and no person met

us in order to impart to us, by a friendly welcome, a

feeling of cheerfulness and confidence.

  Yola is  a large open place, consisting, with  a  few

exceptions, of  conical huts surrounded by spacious

courtyards, and even  by corn-fields, the houses of the

governor and those of his brothers being alone built

                       il 3