442 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY the Sultan of Sokoto, and also, as was subsequently ascertained, on the refusal of the Emir of Katsena to join in the policy of war. It became necessary to strengthen the garrison of Zaria, of which province the emir remained a prisoner in British hands. From this moment it was known that war between Kano and the white men was inevitable.

In all these circumstances there was one consideration which was of first importance in the minds of the British authorities. It was that, in fighting the Fulani, we were fighting not with the people of Haussaland, but with rulers whose misconduct, notwithstanding certain splendid aptitudes for rule, had rendered them hateful to the bulk of the population. In imposing conditions upon their administration, and in transferring to ourselves the suzerainty which they had acquired only by right of comparatively recent conquest, we believed ourselves to carry with us the wishes of the numerous Haussa and pagan peoples who make up the body of the inhabitants of the Protectorate. The strength of the northern states was not to be despised, for should their arms obtain a first success, the surrounding populations would of necessity declare in favour of those who appeared likely to affirm themselves in the position of supremacy. But it was a strength which, notwithstanding its armed appearance, had none of that permanent resisting power which is drawn from the love of a people for its liberty, its territory, and its institutions. What strength there was in such patriotic sentiment was upon the British side.

The expeditionary force which was at the disposal of the High Commissioner consisted of about looo rank and file and 50 Europeans, including the garrison of Zaria. It appeared to be sufficient for the purpose, and after very careful preparation the bulk of it was concentrated at Zaria in January of 1903. On January 29th the order to advance was given, and a force consisting of 24 officers, 2 medical officers, 12 British non-commissioned officers, and 722 rank and file, with 4 guns