432 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY slavery by slave-raiders acting under the instructions of the emir. Both emirs traded openly in slaves, which they imported from German territory and sent through the Haussa States, while trade routes for legitimate commerce were closed. The pagans of the river looked from its eastern to its western end, waiting to see whether the protection of the British Government was strong enough to be effective in these circumstances. It was essential, if we were to retain the respect of the pagan peoples, to check the wholesale depopulation of their territory. It was also necessary to protect the legitimate rights of British traders at Yola.

A military expedition was therefore decided upon, and was sent against Yola in September of 1901, under the command of Colonel Morland. It was successful, and though some obstinate resistance was encountered, the capital was taken. The emir, who preferred exile to capitulation, took refuge in flight. The province was brought under British administration, and an emir appointed on conditions similar to those of Nupe. In the two provinces of Bornu the situation which called for British intervention was of a wholly different order, but the claims for attention which it put forward were perhaps even more imperative than those of the southern states, for they involved difficulties with a European neighbour, which were, of all others, those which it was desirable to avoid.

It has been mentioned that in Bornu the conqueror Rabbeh was overthrown and killed by the French in 1900, and a puppet sovereign of Bornu appointed. Rabbeh's son and successor, Fad-el-Allah, appealed to the British for redress and protection, and offered to obey the orders of the British Government. The question arose whether he, who was a usurper, should be recognised and supported in Bornu, or whether the lawful sovereign overthrown by his father should be restored.

While the question was under consideration in 1901, the French took the matter into their own hands, and,