174 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER leave gunpowder close to a fire. The day would come, through no fault of theirs or ours, when some misunderstanding would lead to a scuffle first and then to war.

" Moreover, if we knew their power, they also ought to know ours. Evil might result to us, but worse would befall them.

" In any case it was more consistent with their dignity and self-respect, as well as with ours, — for were not we as well as they of noble race? — to know with whom they had to deal. The Sultan of the white men had chosen me because of my relationship with Abdul Kerim, who was the friend of the Kuntas and the Awellimiden.

What must I tell that Sultan on behalf of Madidu ? Was it to be peace or war ? " This speech was clear enough, and the reply was no less so.

" Madidu greets you. If you have come with pacific intentions, as you said yesterday to the men from Gao, he is your friend ; he will give you guides to take you where you will, to Say or to Sokoto. If evil should overtake you it will be from heaven, Madidu answers for it none shall come from earth."

This beginning could not but please us. We told the young Kunta, who acted as second envoy, that we were on good terms with his relations at Timbuktu and Kagha ; and then we tried to amuse our visitors, bringing out our bicycle, phonograph, musical box, etc. All our attractions were paraded, in fact, and then, after consulting with Father Hacquart, I decided on a grand coup. Without asking for anything or adding another word, I bade the ambassador farewell, giving him the beautiful velvet saddle to take to Madidu.

The canoe shot back across the river. We saw a Tuareg advance from amongst a group of horsemen, mounted on a fine bay horse, and, strange to say, carrying a musket.