Page:A pilgrimage to my motherland.djvu/91

82 Our Caravan—Atadi—Extortion of Carriers—Ilugun—Peter Elba—Open Air Accommodation—Articles left by the roadside for sale—Ijaye—Kumi—Telegraphic drums—Interview with Chief—"Pala-ver with the water"—Great Market—The Drivers—Carriers—Value of a Shirt—Departure for Oyo—Fever again—Visit to King Adelu—Exchange of Presents—Tax collecting—Snake-Charmer—Ade-neji—Small Pox—Ogbomishaw—Dr. Delany, Fever still again—Scarcity of Water.

H AVING completed our business at Abbeokuta, we began to prepare for a journey through the entire extent of the Aku country, terminating at Ilorin, but were unable to carry out our intention for several weeks, owing to the illness of myself first, and my colleague next. At last we both found ourselves well, and after two or three days spent in purchasing horses, employing servants, carriers, and effecting other provisions, we finally left Abbeokuta at mid-day on the 16th January, 1860, for Ijaye. Our little caravan consisted of twelve persons, namely, of ourselves, two boys, one to the care of each horse, an interpreter, a cook, six carriers, besides several natives met on the road, who