446 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY in Kano, their desire of surrendering to the British.

Having been told that they would be honourably received, they accepted the condition of returning to Kano and delivering all firearms, bows and arrows, into British hands. They were required to enter by one gate, where a guard was stationed to take the arms, and it was estimated that about 2500 horsemen and a total of at least 10,000 persons entered by the gate on this occasion. The Wombai, having expressed his desire to work loyally with the British Government, was provisionally placed in charge of the town, with a prospect of being appointed emir after trial, under conditions which he showed himself cordially willing to accept. Immediately on the fall of Kano the surrounding towns had sent in to submit to the British, and to express their wish for friendship, and it was significant that this had been done even while their Fulani chiefs with an armed Fulani following were absent in the army of the mir. The defeat of the emir's forces and the submission of the Wombai confirmed these towns in their acceptance of British rule, and it was explained to all that it formed no part of British policy to upset or to interfere with existing institutions in so far as they conformed to laws of justice and humanity. Conciliatory letters also were sent to the Sultans of Katsena and Sokoto, explaining that Great Britain had no quarrel with them, nor any desire to fight, provided they would receive the British in peace and carry out the conditions under which Great Britain was prepared to confirm them in their positions. The letters conveyed emphatic assurance that their religion would not be interfered with. Katsena immediately replied that he had no desire for war, and would willingly accept the British conditions.

No reply being received to the letter which was sent to Sokoto, the British force advanced westward. It was the season of the Harmatan wind ; the heat in the middle of the day was terrific, rendering the stones so hot that