50 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XXIII. 
with us, and as the few things left to me had gone on 
to Kano, he ought to excuse me for being unable 
at the present moment to offer him a present worthy 
of his high position, that it was my desire to go on 
without delay to Kano, in order to settle my affairs, 
and to proceed to Bornu, where we expected to receive 
fresh supplies, after which one of our party certainly 
would go to Sokoto, in order to pay our respects to 
the Emir el Miimenm. The governor answered my 
address with much apparent kindness, telling me that 
I was now in his " imana," or under his protection, 
and that he had no other purpose but to do what 
would be conducive to my advantage. He then asked 
the news of my companions, though he knew all 
about them, and did not appear to take the least offence 
at Mr. Overweg's going to Maradi, although the 
people and the ruler of that place were his most inve- 
terate enemies. But things must not be looked upon 
here as they would be in Europe ; for here people are 
accustomed to see strangers from the north pay visits 
to all sorts of princes, whatever may be their policy. 
However, while he spoke in rather friendly terms to 
me, and while my presents were received thankfully 
by the servants, he declared to the people who were 
sitting near him, that as the ruler of B6rnu had laid 
hold of one of my companions, and that of Maradi 
of the other, he should be a fool if he were to let 
me pass out of his hands. I therefore took leave of 
him with no very light heart. 
My present consisted of two fine red caps, a piece 
