36 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER I have often thought of these scientific swells when I have watched negro chiefs marching along followed by their satellites. They strut about, playing on the flute or the fiddle, beating their drums and shouting out compliments in a deafening manner. Every epithet seems suitable to their chief ; he is their sun, their moon, and all the rest of it. " Thou art my father, thou art m}* mother, I am thy captive ! " they shout.

But when adversity overtakes this flattered chief of theirs, when he is in trouble of any kind, gets the worst of it in some skirmish, for instance, what becomes of all the toadeating satellites ? They melt away, to go and offer their incense of flute and violin playing and bell-ringing to some more fortunate favourite of the hour.

Oh, these self-interested sycophants, how well I know them!

I have, however, a grateful pleasure in adding that there are exceptions to the rule. I will mention but one here.

My dear and venerated friend, M. Gauthiot, chief secretary of the Societc de Gtographie Covivierciale was always ready to cheer us in our hours of discouragement, to aid us in our hopeful days ; putting at our disposal all his influence, all his persuasive power, and exercising on our behalf the undoubted authority he possessed in all things geographical and colonial.

Directly he reached Paris Baudry went to seek him, not of course without some arriere pense, " Well, how goes the mission ? " he asked at once. " Done for, unless you can save us," was the reply. " I'll see about it," said M. Gauthiot at once.

Then he went to my old friend Marchand, who was expected to do such great things on the Congo. " And Hourst and the descent of the Niger?" "You see what has come of that," was the answer. " Well, perhaps something may yet be done."