Of the people of his own district the Sultan said, “You have nothing to fear from them, except that thieves may come in the night.  Beware of them; and fall upon any one who may come near your tents after dark.  There may be people who will slink from the neighbouring towns to rob you; take care and watch during the night.”  Upon this I asked him for a couple of servants as guards, but he replied that it was not necessary.

Of the Tanelkums he observed:  “It will be better when they are gone, for many strangers come to them, known neither to you nor to me; and they may rob you.”  This was an excellent observation, for on the road I always found that the Haghar strangers, the bandits, and all the idle, low characters, who might follow the caravan, never failed to make friends with our Tanelkums, and thus gained a footing to carry on their treacherous designs.

The greater part of the interview was thus occupied by a little oration on the part of this respectable Sultan, who wound up by saying that he hoped, if it pleased God, that we should now enjoy some repose, and afterwards be conducted safely to Zinder and Soudan.

Observing that the dialogue was flagging, I caused the presents we had brought with us to be laid out.  The Sultan examined all the articles carefully and quietly, but said not a word.  Then his son-in-law informed us aside that it was now time to retire.  We did so with many compliments, trusting that our visit had produced a favourable impression.  I was very anxious to know what was thought of the present,—­the largest we have yet given, much larger than what was received by either Hateetah or Wataitee.  I sent two of my servants about to pick up the news in town.  I was not disappointed; I hoped to please his highness, and succeeded.  He was greatly delighted; and, moreover, displayed immense generosity for an African.  Immediately we had retired he called together all the great people of the town, and thus addressed them:  “See the fine present these Christians have brought me.  I shall, however, only take a blue burnouse for myself.  The rest I give to you.  Take all else.”  The notables were greatly pleased at being called in to share in the gifts, and exclaimed, “The Consul is a fine man; a man of a large heart.”  So far, so good.  But some of the lesser men were heard to say, “Ah! now the Christians are in peace, and yet they give us nothing.  How much did they give away, and yet get no rest!” Sure enough; but having been thus forcedly generous, we had now scarcely anything left to give.  It would require a thousand camel-loads to satisfy all the tribes and people in this route, even if their exigencies did not rise in proportion to our wealth.