138 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER Directly we stopped we were inundated by visitors, all nearly as worrying as the rain, which had been falling without ceasing since the evening before. To begin with, on the morning of the 22nd came messengers from Sakhaui to ask in his name for advice. The Commandant of Timbuktu had sent him a letter announcing the approaching arrival of Colonel de Trentinian, Governor of the French Sudan. The Commandant ordered Sakhaui to go to Timbuktu, and he was very much frightened. I did my best to reassure the messenger, but I am very certain that Sakhaui does not mean to budge. The message would, however, do us no end of harm, and from my journal that day I perceive that I felt very indignant at the policy pursued by our authorities in the Sudan. I find written there — " We really are an extraordinary people, we seem to expect that the Tuaregs will come and throw themselves into our arms of their own accord, without our having employed any conciliatory or coercive means to induce them to do so.

But, good Heavens ! if they could send us to the Devil, from whom their marabouts tell them wc come, they would gladly do it. And really I don't blame them, for I see well enough what they have to lose by our presence in their land, though I don't quite see what they are to gain. Taking into account the apathy with which commercial questions are treated, I do not yet foresee the day when amends will be made for the imposts now levied by force, by the granting of new rights of way, and the supplying of new means of transport."

Nor have I seen reason since to change my opinion, for to talk of colonial questions in France is to preach in the desert Nevertheless, I am firmly convinced that then as now I wrote only the exact literal truth.

It was now R'alli's turn again. We had not seen the fellow for some time, but I am willing to swear three times