— 35 — demanded that I should be summoned and said that as I did, so would they. Upon this 1 went forth to meet Billali, but I took with me neither followers nor guns, in as much as I had no wish to disobey the orders of the Government. Thereupon I addressed the company of the merchants, saying that Billali was an impostor, and that it was to the mines of Hofret el Nahas that he had been despatched by the Government, and not to the Bahr el Ghazal. I counselled them not to comply with Billali's orders, save and except he showed them written instructions from Khartoum.

For I was the one whom Jaafer Pasha trusted above all others, and indeed he had privily sent me a letter, saying that he would not confirm the actions of Billali unless I approved them, (i) Then Billali questioned me concerning the arms, and the reason why I had neglected to bring them with me. But I replied, "By whose order and by whose command am I to deliver up these arms to you ?" He rejoined, "By the orders of Jaafer Pasha, who has invested me with supreme command" . Whereat I answered him, "Then, why (l) It is difficult not to sympathise with Zubeir in this matter. He had conquered the District and now saw an attempt being matle to rob him of the fruits of his labours. Billali had absolutely no right whatever to this country, but induced the Khartoum authorities to give it to him by offering to pay a large tribute.