296 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXXI. 
vented by the hostile behaviour of the chief El Kha- 
dir from reaching Timbuktu, when my companions 
assured him, that the Sheikh, on the first news of 
his approach, had sent a messenger in order to insure 
his safety from the Tawd-rek. 
Even if we do not take into account this attempt 
of his, there is no doubt that the governor of Say is 
of the utmost importance in the endeavour to ascend 
this river, and it is only to be lamented that he has 
not greater means, pecuniary and military, at his dis- 
posal, in order to draw from the favourable position 
of his province all the results possible. Altogether 
his circumstances at this moment, especially in con- 
sequence of the rebellion of the province of Dendina, 
were rather poor. At the same time his own debili- 
tated condition prevents him from exerting his power, 
and can only tend to increase his political weakness. 
The rather inhospitable treatment which we received 
may thus be explained. Nevertheless, I made him 
this time a considerable present, including a red 
bernus of inferior quality, which I had kept back 
for the occasion. However I was so fortunate, in 
acknowledgment for some medicines with which I 
endeavoured to alleviate his complaint, as to receive 
from him a small piece of sugar, which was a great 
treat to me, as I had long been deprived of this 
luxury, there being none in the market ; and when 
we left the place, after a stay of three days, he was 
generous enough to make my companions a present 
of a camel, of which they stood much in need. 
