Chap. LVII. 
GLOOMY PEOSPECTS. 
165 
the Niger, and beyond that river westward, told me 
in the most positive manner, " babo hana," " there is 
no road ; " that is to say, " the country is closed to 
you, and you cannot proceed in that direction." And 
taking into consideration the low ebb of courage 
and enterprise among the natives — the weakness and 
un warlike spirit of 'Ally u — the complete nullity of 
Khalilu — the vigour of the young and warlike 
Mademe the rebel chief of Kebbi, who, starting 
from his residence Argungo, distant only a couple 
of hours' march from that of Khalilu, was carrying 
the flame of destruction in every direction — the re- 
volted province of Zaberma, with an equally young 
and energetic ruler, Daiid the son of Ham mam Jym- 
ma — the province of D^ndina in open revolt and 
cutting off all access to the river, — all these circum- 
stances rendered the prospect of my accomplishing 
this journey very doubtful. Moreover, besides the 
weakness of the two rulers of the Fiilbe dominions, 
there is evidently a feeling of jealousy between the 
courts of Sokoto and Gando ; and here we find the 
spectacle of two weak powers weakening each other 
still more, instead of uniting most cordially in an 
energetic oppo k sition against the common foe. For 
instance, the young chief of Kebbi, who at present 
caused them so much trouble, had been previously a 
prisoner in Wurno ; but when Khalilu wanted to take 
his life, e Aliyu procured his liberty, and gave him a 
splendid charger to boot. 
M 3 
