An army, he added, was at this moment ravaging the country, through which he had to pass, and until he heard from it, it would be unsafe to go, he expected, however, further information in three or four days.  He drew on the sand the course of the river Quarra, which he informed Clapperton entered the sea at Fundah.  By his account the river ran parallel to the sea coast for several days’ journey, being in some places only a few hours, in others a day’s journey distant from it.  After questioning Clapperton on some points connected with the English trade, the sultan said, “I will give the king of England a place on the coast to build a town, only I wish a road to be cut to Rakah, if vessels should not be able to navigate the river.”  Clapperton asked him, if the country which he had promised, belonged to him.  “Yes,” said he, “God has given me all the lands of the infidels.”  This was an answer that admitted of no contradiction.

The sultan informed Clapperton, that some timbers of Park’s boat, fastened together with nails, remained a long time on the rocks of the river, and that a double-barrelled gun, taken in the boat, was once in his possession, but it had lately burst.  His cousin, Abderachman, however, had a small printed book, taken out of the boat; but he was now absent on an expedition to Nyffee.  The other books were in the hands of the sultan of Youri, who was tributary to him.  Clapperton told the sultan, if he could procure these articles for the king of England, they would prove a most acceptable present, and he promised to make every exertion in his power.

The direct road to Youri is only five days’ journey; but on account of the rebellious state of the country, it was necessary to take a circuitous route of twelve days.  Numbers of the principal people of Sockatoo came to Clapperton, to advise him to give up the idea of going, all alleging that the rains had already commenced it Youri, and that the road was in the hands of their enemies.  They repeated the same tales to the servants who were to accompany him, and threw them all into a panic at the prospect of so dangerous a journey.  Clapperton discovered also, that the Arabs were tampering with his servants, and some of them absolutely refused to go, from some information that was given to them, that, if they met with no disasters on the route to Youri, the sultan there would assuredly sell them, and that they would never be allowed to return.

The journey to Youri now appeared to engross the whole of Clapperton’s attention, and the sultan sent for him, to consult with him about the guide, who was to accompany him to that place.  One man had already refused, and he had to tempt another with a promise of forty thousand kowries unknown to the sultan, who kindly took much pains to impress upon Clapperton the necessity of his return within twenty-six days, on account of the capricious character of the people of the place.