Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII MAIFONI Maifoni stands on a sandy hill in one of the most fertile districts of Bornu. From the crest of the rise a beautiful view of corn lands is to be seen. The people of the country are prosperous, and there are flourishing markets where traders come from far to buy the renowned cattle and sheep of the country. Here, in the time of Barth (1851) there was a large town that more than covered the hill, with a population of 10,000, engaged for the most part in farming; there were also workers in domestic industries and large dyeing pits stood by a market-place that contained 200 stalls. Now not a wall remains to mark the site of the city of that day, and the only traces of former habitations are the broken shards that are turned up from the side of the hill, and the swarms of white ants that are never to be found in great numbers on ground trodden by man. In its place, a British fort crowns the hill in grand solitude, except for a small village of native huts some little distance down the northern slope, and a few market stalls where trade is carried on with the soldiers' wives. The fort is an imposing mud structure, about 50 yards square and surrounded by a 6-ft. wall and ditch. Within, there are two square blocks of houses and a guard-house. The garrison consists of a company of the West African Frontier Force, which was at this time under the command of Lieutenant Farmer, a smart soldier and good man. It was a great blow to me when, on my return to England, I heard the sad news of this officer's death, for I was cherishing the hope of being able to shake him by the hand once again and thank him for his strong help to us all in the dark days of my brother's illness. The soldiers live with their wives in huts half a mile down...