RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO. 
281 
swered the sultan that, as I wished to get to England in as short a 
time as possible, the route to Kubbi, through Boussa, was most 
likely to answer that end. “ It is impossible,” he continued, “ to 
travel that way: the rainy season is commenced; the rivers are 
overflowed; the country is inundated; and you will not be able to 
reach the sea-coast in safety. It will be much better for you to go 
over the desert ; and, to facilitate your progress, I will write Hat 
Sallah to get a trustworthy person to accompany you ; he will 
also furnish you with camels and provisions, and advance you what 
money it is likely you will want.” I only replied, “ Very well, 
sultan.” He then asked if Abdullah had forgiven Pascoe in his 
book, for the roguery he had committed. I said, “ He had not 
been able to write during the whole of his sickness; and therefore 
nothing was stated about the matter.” — “ If Abdullah has not par- 
doned him in his book,” rejoined the sultan, “ your king will cer- 
tainly cut off his head on his arrival in England.” I assured him 
Pascoe would not be punished by any one, if his future conduct 
was good ; but this the sultan was in no haste to believe ; and ob- 
served, “ I cannot suffer him to go with you ; he shall stay here to 
clean and repair my guns /” this latter consideration having evidently 
more influence with the sultan than Pascoe’s safety, which he cared 
nothing at all about. I then besought Bello to permit him to ac- 
company me as far as Kano, as an interpreter; to which he rather 
reluctantly consented, on condition that I should procure him a 
horse to return, and pay him wages, on my arrival at Kano, to the 
amount of 15,000 cowries, which of course I agreed to do ; and 
finding the sultan had nothing more to say, I bowed profoundly 
and retired. I never saw him again. 
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