112 
JOURNEY FROM BOUSSA TO KANO. 
of Wawa, and tliat the old governor meant me no harm, but just 
to let me see his consequence before I left Wawa. I certainly never 
would have thought that the widow Zuma would have been at the 
head of the malcontents in Wawa. I was now let into their politics 
with a vengeance; and it was believed I was taking a very great 
share in them. It would ljave been a fine end to my journey 
indeed, if I had deposed old Mohamed, and set up for myself, 
with a walking tun-butt for a queen. 
I sent to the governor the instant of my arrival at Wawa, to 
say I was ready to wait on him. I had tea to refresh me and 
clear up my ideas ; and went, accompanied by his head man* My 
servant Ali brought the rifle, which was loaded ; but I ordered 
him back with a severe reproof, as I always make a point of going 
unarmed ; as the least show of fear or distrust would most likely 
cause me to pay dearly for my unnecessary caution. The head 
man said, “ Ah ! dua, dua,” or that I had taken medicine to keep 
me from harm. I found the governor just roused from his noon- 
day nap, which was done by sound of horn. I put on as many 
smiles as I was master of, shook hands with him, and asked how he 
did, and how he had been since I last was blessed with the sight of 
him. I told him that I had seen the sultan of Boussa, and said 
what a good and generous man he was ; and how well he and the 
midaki, his wife, and the governor’s sister, had behaved to me. 
1 then said, I was surprised that my things had not come to the 
water side, according to his promise. He asked if the widow was 
not going to take them, as he thought she was. I said, I had 
nothing to do with the widow; I was a servant of the king of 
England, and it was to him I looked ; that I did not know the 
widow before I came here. “ Is she not going to Houssa with 
you? if she is greater than me, let her take them.” I said, no; it 
was he, and not the widow : I had nothing to say to her ; and I 
would thank him to send me and my things off as soon as pos- 
