RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO AND MAGARIA. 
231 
return, one of which I must choose ; also to speak the truth, 
had I come as a messenger from the king of England to Bello, or 
only to seek out a road? that one of the paths was through Your- 
riba, the way I had come ; the other by Timbuctoo ; and another 
by way of Aghadez, Tuat, and Morzuk. I said that, after such a 
message, and such unwarranted proceeding on the part of the 
sultan, I could have no further communication with them ; that 
they might act as they thought fit, all was the same to me. They 
went off, saying I was a very difficult man ; had I nothing to say to 
the sultan? I said that my business with the sultan was now 
finished, and I would have no more to say. 
Thursday, 21st. — In the morning I sent to the sultan to take 
possession of my baggage, as it now appeared from Sidi Sheik, who 
early visited me, that they considered I was conveying guns and 
warlike stores to the sheik of Bornou. He sent to say that no one 
should touch my baggage ; he only wanted to see the letter of Lord 
Bathurst to the sheik. I answered, they must take it if they pleased, 
but that I would not give it. At noon the Gadado arrived, and a 
short while after Hadji Hat Salah ; the latter called on me as he 
went to his house. He declared that he knew not on what 
business they had sent for him ; that he did not fear them, he had 
done nothing amiss. As there were too many persons around, I 
did not ask him any further questions, and instantly went to the 
Gadado, whom I found alone, sitting by a warm fire. After the 
usual compliments were over, I asked him for what reason the 
sultan had sent for my baggage. He said of that he had not the 
least knowledge, until my servants and baggage had arrived at 
Magaria ; but the sultan had told him, since his return, that all he 
wanted was to see the letter to the sheik of Bornou. I told him 
that to give up the letter was more than my head was worth. He 
said they did not want to open the letter, they only wanted to see 
