BRITISH ADMINISTRATION 421 river Kaduna. This river, often mentioned in the ancient geography of the country, is one of the important rivers of the Protectorate, and drains the south-western watershed to the Niger. It is navigable for a large portion of the year by steamers, and during the dry season by steel canoes. A small garrison was accordingly left at Wushishi, and relations were in the meantime cultivated with the southern states. The disturbed condition of the country was such that, pending the establishment of the new headquarters, no attempt was made to open relations with the Fulani emirates of the north, otherwise than by the despatch of conciliatory letters informing the Sultans of Gando and Sokoto of the assumption of administration by the British Government, and of the desire of Great Britain to maintain friendly relations.

The southern provinces of Northern Nigeria, as they spread on the south bank of the rivers from west to east, are Ilorin, Kabba, Bassa, part of Muri, and part of Yola. Immediately to the north of these, and with the exception of Borgu, all on the northern side of the rivers, are — taking them again from west to east — Borgu, Kontagora, Southern Zaria, Nupe, Nassarawa, Bautchi, and the northern half of Muri and Yola ; in all, eleven provinces out of the seventeen of which Northern Nigeria is composed. Of these provinces three only, Borgu, Ilorin, and Kabba, were, in the first instance, effectively occupied by the British. Jebba, situated on an island in the Niger between the mainland of Ilorin and Kontagora, commanded the southern province. On the northern banks the pagan populations welcomed the advent of the British, but the Fulani emirs of Kontagora and Nupe soon removed all doubt as to their hostile attitude. The British occupation was scarcely effected before they were openly slave-raiding to the banks of the river. Their combined armies laid waste their own country from the Niger banks on the west and south to the eastern highlands, and to the north as far as the frontiers of Sokoto and Zaria. The Emir of Zaria, in whose territory the site chosen for the future seat of