Chap. LXXIV. RELATIONS WITH THE FRENCH. 125 
within the range of their own commerce. If both 
the English and French could agree on a certain 
line of policy with regard to the tribes of the interior, 
those extensive regions might, I think, be easily opened 
to peaceful intercourse. Be this as it may, under 
the pressure of circumstances, I found myself obliged 
to affix my name to the letter written by the Sheikh, 
as having been present at the time, and candour im- 
posed upon me the duty of not signing a wrong name. 
All this excitement, which was disagreeable enough, 
had, however, one great advantage for ijie, as I was 
now informed that letters had reached my address, and 
that I should have them ; but I was astonished to hear 
that these letters had arrived in A'zawad some months 
previously. I expostulated very strongly with my 
friend upon this circumstance, telling him that if they 
wanted friendship and "imana," or security of inter- 
course with us, they ought to be far more strict in 
observing the conditions consequent upon such a rela- 
tion. I then received the promise that I should have 
the letters in a few days. 
Our hosts the Kel-gogi removed their en- Wednesday, 
campment, and we followed them, although 
my protector had repeatedly assured me that in our 
retrograde movement we should certainly not have to 
pass the fine caoutchouc-tree that adorned our en- 
campment. Leaving the high sandy downs of Ule- 
Teharge, on the banks of the river, we kept around 
the extensive swampy meadow-ground which spreads 
out behind them, several small encampments of the 
