The Movements of Stileiman. 241 " My parents are black," he replied. " I had a brother as white as myself, but he is dead. I know of no other whites." At first I thought he was an Albino, but as he had neither the hair nor the eyes of such, I could not understand the phenomenon. But I know that Miani also saw white men who were not Albinos among the Niam-Niam of the west.

December 13th. — I arrived at Bisellia still accompanied hj the old sheikh. December 18th. — Some natives ran to meet us, and by their gesticulations I understood that some misfortune had happened. Fifteen armed Arabs, during the absence of the sheikh, had discovered the hiding-place of his family and people. They had captured one hundred and fifty and carried them off in chains towards Dem Suleiman. They were encamped in a wood where they were intoxicating themselves with merissa. I immediately sent a hundred men on their track, and, taken by surprise, two were killed, one fled, and twelve were arrested. The one hundred and fifty negroes were set at liberty and returned to their families.

Our appearance at Bisellia was soon known to Suleiman, who, divining my intention of marching upon Dem Idris, had sent to that place Sangiak Abdulgassim, a man who might be termed a wild beast in human form.

As an example of his cruelty, I will relate a fact for the truth of which I can vouch. When he arrived at Dem Idris a blast of wind blew down his banner, and the staff broke into three pieces. This was held to be an evil omen, and his troops were afraid. In order to reassure them he caused four bulls to be sacrificed to the angry gods, and the banner to be dipped three times in their blood. But that was not sufficient. He took a young Bongo negro, bound his hands, cut his throat, and dipped " Devi is a Bongo word, corresponding to the Arab triha or village.

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