186 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



property recovered through the instrumentality of the High 

 Commissioner. 



Even in the case of a feud between two big men, that is 

 brought for settlement before a High Commissioner, it fre- 

 quently happens that the case is so stated by the interpreter 

 that the man who pays him the biggest bribe, irrespective 

 of his right to justice, always wins. 



These abuses are always more serious in a new dependency 

 such as Bornu, where Residents know practically nothing of 

 the Kanuri language, and the rascally interpreter can lie 

 recklessly without fear of betrayal. In the older provinces 

 where Hausa is spoken there are officials to be reached who 

 do understand. Besides, it is pretty certain to be the case 

 that the interpreter has plenty of enemies, who are ever 

 ready to inform against him ; consequently he has to move 

 warily. 



On July 28 I left Lokoja, going by steamer a two days' 

 journey to Loko, a native town with a large market, on the 

 right bank of the Benue, where caravans come from Kano to 

 gain the artery of the river. From here I had determined to 

 strike inland to the hills. There was a detachment of troops 

 on the boat going up to the Gongola region on patrol duty. 

 With them was the usual crowd of boys, who, when allowed, 

 are always to be found in the train of the native soldiers, 

 for whom they act as domestic slaves, in consideration 

 of the chances they have of looting when in their company. 

 In this part of Africa the boys and carriers dearly love 

 looting ; in consequence, if ever there is a military expedition 

 afoot, there is no difficulty in getting carriers. I remember 

 that when my brother's column started for the survey in the 



