350 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XL VIII. 
sorghum, I declared it to be absolutely necessary for 
me either to be admitted into the capital, or to retrace 
my steps. I requested Grema to stay with me; 
but he pretended he was obliged to return to the 
town, where his servant lay sick. Not suspecting 
that he wanted to leave me alone, and to join the 
Sultan on the expedition, I allowed him to go, and 
resolved to wait a few days in patience. But, restless 
and impatient as 1 was, the delay pressed heavily upon 
me ; and when on the 13th my kind and amiable host 
Bii-Bakr Sadik himself went to the capital, I had 
nothing to calm my disquietude. Through my host, 
I had once more addressed myself to the lieutenant- 
governor, requesting to be admitted into the capital 
without further delay ; and Bii-Bakr had promised me, 
in the most distinct terms, that before Thursday night, 
which was the 15th, I should have a decisive answer. 
Having only one weak camel to carry my luggage, I 
had taken scarcely any books with me on this ex- 
cursion to Bagfrmi, and the little information which 
I had been able to gather was not sufficient to give 
my restless spirit its proper nourishment ; and I felt, 
therefore, mentally depressed. The consequence was, 
that when Thursday night passed away, and neither 
Bii-Bakr himself arrived, nor any message from him, I 
determined to put my threat into execution, and to 
retrace my steps the following morning. 
