150 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



he would play off one candidate against another, in- 

 timating to each that his claim would be strengthened 

 by a well - timed present, till both were practically 

 ruined — and several towns left without rulers. 



On the other hand, the action of the French in 

 checking the slave trade, together with other raids 

 and exactions, has fallen hardly on the ruling classes. 

 It has put an end to the only means of livelihood they 

 have ever known, and, though the restraint is exer- 

 cised with great tact, it appears to them little less 

 than robbery. 



An important feast was about to be held at Tchekna, 

 that of Dee, to use the native word, or, as the French 

 called it, " le fete des moutons." It had originated 

 in some pagan ceremony, and had become incor- 

 porated in the Mahommedan religion as practised in 

 Central Africa. The feast was not confined to Tchekna 

 alone, but was also celebrated in the great sultanates 

 of Dikoa, and of Gulfei, in the Kamerun. Vast con- 

 courses of people gathered from all the country round 

 to share in the festival ; and we, too, were keen to 

 witness it. 



Captain Facon kindly arranged our visit for us, and 

 he insisted on sending an escort of six men with us. 

 Three were mounted, and all were armed : nominally 

 in order that Mr Talbot might borrow their rifles 

 and shoot whenever he saw game, but, as he had 

 three of his own, we think it was really to ensure 

 our obedience should we feel inclined to err and 

 make a dash for Abechir, as our friends at Fort 

 Lamy were convinced we meant to do. 



One of the six was the Resident's interpreter, 

 Mohmaduba, a magnificent personage, who brought 



