Chap. XXV. 
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. 
101 
Being lodged in dark, uncomfortable, and cheer- 
less quarters, which I was forbidden to leave before 
the governor had seen me, destitute of a single far- 
thing in cash, while I was daily called upon and 
pestered by my numerous creditors, and laughed at 
on account of my poverty by an insolent servant, my 
readers may fancy that my situation in the great far- 
famed entrepot of Central Africa, the name of which 
had excited my imagination for so long a time, was far 
from agreeable. Partly from anxiety, partly from want 
of exercise, in the course of a few days I had a very 
severe attack of fever, which reduced me to a state of 
great weakness. Fortunately, however, I mustered 
sufficient strength to avail myself of a summons 
which called me at length into the presence of the 
governor, on the 18th of February; and by sacri- 
ficing what few things remained to me, I paved the 
road for my further proceedings, while the degree of 
exertion which was necessary to undergo the fatigue 
of the visit carried me over my weakness, and re- 
stored me gradually to health. The distances in Kano, 
though less than those of London, are very great ; 
and the ceremonies to be gone through are scarcely 
less tedious than those at any European court. 
Clothing myself as warmly as possible in my Tu- 
nisian dress, and wearing over it a white tobe and 
a white berniis, I mounted my poor black nag, and 
followed my three mediators and advocates. These 
were Bawu, Elaiji and Sidi \Ali. Elarji had ar- 
rived three days after me from his estate, and had 
H 3 
