Chaf. LV. INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR. 97 
not yet spoiled by the influence of the softer manners 
of the subjected tribe, although such an amalgama- 
tion has already begun to take place in many parts of 
Hausa. 
The house which was assigned to me inside the 
town was spacious, but rather old, and so full of ants 
that I was obliged to take the greatest care to protect 
not only my luggage, but my person from these vo- 
racious insects. They not only destroyed everything 
that was suspended on pegs from the walls, but while 
sitting one day for an hour or so on a clay bank in 
my room I found, when I got up, a large hole in my 
tobe, — - these clever and industrious miners having 
made their way through the clay walls to the spot 
where I was sitting, successfully constructed their 
covered walks, and voraciously attacked my shirt, all 
in an hour's time. 
My present to the governor consisted of a very fine 
blue bernus, a kaftan of fine red cloth, a small pocket 
pistol, two muslin turbans, a red cap, two loaves of 
sugar, and some smaller articles. The eccentric man 
received me with undisguised pleasure as an old ac- 
quaintance ; but being aware that I had a tolerable 
supply of handsome articles with me, he wanted to 
induce me to sell to him all the fine things I possessed : 
but I cut the matter short by telling him, once for 
all, that I was not a merchant, and did not engage in 
any commerce. On the whole, he was well pleased 
with his presents ; but he wanted me to give him 
another small pistol, and, in the course of my stay 
VOL. IV. h 
