294 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



I at once saw that I had got in on his weak spot, his 

 vanity. He was, I believe, just on the point of acquiescing 

 when his mallam, or high priest, intervened, and I could see 

 by the latter's earnest manner and the Shehu's gesture of 

 impatience and disappointment that awkward objections 

 were being raised. These would no doubt be on the grounds 

 of the Holy Law which forbids a Mahomedan having his 

 likeness made. 



The discussion soon became general and all the Court 

 joined in with much talk and gesticulation, when a 

 courtier, who perhaps had an eye to the royal favour, or 

 his knife into the spiritual councillor, evidently suggested a 

 compromise, for suddenly the altercation ceased and, two 

 attendants being despatched, the Shehu signified that it was 

 his royal pleasure to permit me to take his portrait. Accord- 

 ingly, accompanied by me and followed by his Court and 

 guard of boy slaves, he moved out into the sunlight and took 

 up a pose, holding on to a smile with a determination that 

 would have done credit to a professional beauty. Then 

 came a most unexpected interruption. Just as I was pressing 

 the button that would record the Shehu's smile and Allah's 

 frown, my attention was arrested by a stir in the gateway 

 across the courtyard on the left, and the eyes of all save the 

 Shehu, who was motionless, were directed thither. 



There we saw two powerful men, semi-nude, bearing in a 

 heavy load, which, on their emerging into the sunlight of 

 the yard, proved to be a fine, big sheep. Instantly the 

 thought flashed through my mind that^here was^a royal gift 

 for us ; so, too, thought Talbot, who was standing just 

 behind me. 



