FROM SAV TO UUSSA 437 the check we had received at Ilo, I was led to think that the English might have had something to do with it, or, at least, that people who had been amongst them — for the English themselves have no political influence in these parts — had had intelligence enough to understand and lo<ik after their interests. In the suite of the chief there was a native of Bidda, who asked me to let him accompany me back to his native place, but he too disappeared. In any case, however, as Amadu told me, the news of our stay at Say had not yet reached Gomba, still less Bussa, we might still, by pushing on rapidly, circumvent the plans of those who were anxious to make mischief. Forward then as rapidly as possible !

We soon . passed the mouth of the Ngubi-Sokoto, of