JOURNEY PROM TJMBUCTOO TO HOUSA.

ohabeeny, after staying three years at Timbuctoo, departed for Housa : and crossing the small river close to the walls, reached the Nile in three days, travelling through a fine, populous,, cultivated country, abounding in trees, some of which are a kind of oak, bearing a large acorn '', much finer than those of Barbary, which are sent as presents to Spain. Travelling is perfectly safe. They embarked on the Nile in a large boat with one mast, a sail, and oars ; the current was not rapid : having a favourable wind, on his return, he came back in as short a time as he went. The water was very red and sweet. The place where they embarked is * Called El Belute. These acorns are much prized by the Muhamedans, and are considered a very wholesome fruit.

The word hellue, in Arabic, which signifies literally, sweet, here implies that the water was pure and good.

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