472 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LII. 
clear description of the present relations of the ex- 
pedition ; for, when he expressed his wish that I 
might be appointed by Her Majesty as a consul, I 
declared to him that that could not be, but that it 
was my business to explore unknown countries, to 
open intercourse with them, and afterwards to re- 
turn to my native country ; that it was the most 
ardent desire of Her Majesty's government to enter 
into the most friendly relations with B6rnu, but 
that our scientific mission extended far beyond that 
country. And I further explained to him that 
Government, in their last despatches, had expressed 
their wish that if we should ascertain the impossi- 
bility of penetrating in a southerly or easterly direc- 
tion, we might turn westward and endeavour to reach 
Timbuktu. 
This statement seemed to gratify him extremely, 
as he was afraid of nothing more than that we 
might go to Waday, and enter into friendly relations 
with the sultan of that country. It is from this point 
of view that I am quite sure that the vizier at least 
had done nothing to ensure me a good reception in 
Bagirmi, if not the contrary. However, the sultan 
declared that, as he was greatly pleased at our desire 
to try our fortune in a westerly direction, he should 
not prevent us, even if we wanted to go to Waday, as 
it was stipulated expressly in the treaty that Her 
Britannic Majesty's subjects might go wherever they 
pleased, — although it was not until a few days later 
that he actually signed the treaty, after numerous 
delays and evasions. I, however, expressed my wish 
