292 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER all nodded their heads in acquiescence), "and his son Madani, who is no better than he is.

" I must, however, confess that never, in the course of my experience, have I seen anything to equal what I see here to-day.

" Relations of ours have been here, some alone, others with soldiers, all of whom have loaded you with presents. You promised, nay more, you made alliance with us French, but now you break your word. Very well ! My Sultan, who is a true Sultan and not a bad chief like you, who lolls about in a dirty hut on a moth-eaten coverlid, has done you too much honour. You are viler than the unclean animals whose flesh your prophet forbids you to eat. Now listen to me. My chief has ordered me to stop here, and here I shall stop, a day if I choose, a year if 1 choose, ten years if I choose. We are only thirty, and you are as numerous as the grains of sand of the desert ; but try and drive us away if you can. I do not mean to begin making war, because my chief has forbidden me to do so ; you will have to begin, and you will see what will happen. We have God on our side, who punishes perjurers. He is enough for me ; I am not afraid of you. Adieu ! We are going to seek a place for our camp where there are none but the beasts of the field, for in this country they are better than the men. Collect your column and come and drive us away ! — that is to say, if you can ! " Suleyman was a first-rate interpreter when he had this sort of harangue to translate. The good fellow, who was of anything but a conciliatory disposition, would drop out all flattering expressions or cut them very short, but when he had such a task as I had set him just now, he went at it with hearty goodwill. He was more likely to add to than to omit anything I had said.

After this vehement address Modibo and his attendants