From the Congo to the Niger and the Nile : an account of The German Central African expedition of 1910-1911 . orbed during the day. Very early the next morning we rode into Dikoa,and were met by Lieutenant von Duisburg, who cameto welcome us to his station. Roder and I rode onahead with him, leaving the rest of the caravan tofollow, and soon we were in Rabehs old palace, whichis the present Government House. (Illus. 142.) Wewere glad of a rest, for Roder and I were quite over-powered by the heat of the last few days. Duringthe afternoon the sultan paid us a visit, and broughtus a present of th
From the Congo to the Niger and the Nile : an account of The German Central African expedition of 1910-1911 . orbed during the day. Very early the next morning we rode into Dikoa,and were met by Lieutenant von Duisburg, who cameto welcome us to his station. Roder and I rode onahead with him, leaving the rest of the caravan tofollow, and soon we were in Rabehs old palace, whichis the present Government House. (Illus. 142.) Wewere glad of a rest, for Roder and I were quite over-powered by the heat of the last few days. Duringthe afternoon the sultan paid us a visit, and broughtus a present of three sheep, twenty hens, eggs, bread,and honey. It happened to be my birthday, and Iwas much amused by these typical African gifts. Iopened a case containing silks, and the great manwent away greatly pleased. The following morning we explored the town, andwere surprised to find such large, two-storied, stonehouses. Dikoa owes all its splendour to Rabeh. In oldentimes it was an insignificant Kanuri village, whoseinhabitants travelled to Kuka when they wished toenjoy the pleasures of a town. Then came Rabeh. O 5 1?sl C hio > si .2 £ St C THROUGH GERMAN BORNU 149 from the East, weary of righting and wandering; hefounded a kingdom and made Dikoa his capital. Hebuilt a palace for himself, and reviewed his troops everyFriday in the wide square. But now this is all a thingof the past. The fine buildings are still there, andthe cannons on either side of the gateway, but the red,white, and black flag flutters on the flag-staff, a,ndLieutenant von Duisburg resides in Rabehs palace. Opposite Government House stands the mosque, avery primitive building, which I can describe only asa little square mud box, open at each end, and witha few holes for windows. Solid mud pillars supportthe roof, and between them, in the semi-darkness, menkneel and say their prayers. (Vide coloured plate.) To the left of the mosque is the sultans palace,which like those I had seen in Gulfei and Karnak,consists
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