FROM TOSAYE TO FAFA 183 should not hesitate to assert that El Mekki alone would be able to put a veto on the favourable or unfavourable resolutions of Madidu with regard to us. From which it will be seen clearly enough how very valuable the friendship of this El Mekki would be.

Before the evening mists arose we set sail to go through the pass, which we managed to do without accident, and anchored opposite the village to await the morning.

On the 9th we crossed over very early, but, alas I the day began badly. El Mekki did not come, but sent instead two messengers, who — I really don't know on what stupid prete.xt — told us it was impossible to supply us with guides.

1 protested in vain, invoking the name of Madidu.

Political reasons imperatively demanded that we should make a friend of El Mekki, but there was yet another more immediate motive for our desire, and that was, we were close to the rapids.