of money for her service, or make her believe that the request was beyond human power.  In the cool of the afternoon, he was visited by three of the governor’s wives, who, after examining his skin with much attention, remarked, compassionately, it was a thousand pities he was not black, for then he would have been tolerably good looking.  He asked one of them, a buxom young girl of fifteen, if she would accept of him for a husband, provided he could obtain the permission of her master, the governor.  She immediately began to whimper, and on urging her to explain the cause, she frankly avowed, she did not know what to do with his white legs. He gave to each of them a snuff-box, and, in addition, a string of white beads to the coy maiden.  They were attended by an old woman and two little female slaves, and, during their stay, made very merry; but he feared much that their gaiety soon fled on returning to the close custody of their old gaoler.

Clapperton now tried every thing in his power to induce his guide to proceed, without waiting for the escort; but El Wordee and the shreef, who were the most pusillanimous rascals he ever met with, effectually dissuaded him from it.

He was much amused with a conversation he overheard between the blind shreef and his servant, respecting himself and his intended journey.  “That Abdallah,” says the servant, “is a very bad man; he has no more sense than an ass, and is now going to lead us all to the devil, if we will accompany him.  I hope, master, you are not such a fool.”

“Yes,” ejaculated the shreef, “it was a black day when I joined that kafir; but if I don’t go with him; I shall never see the sultan; and when I return to Kano without any thing, the people will laugh at me for my pains.”

“Why did you not talk to him,” said the servant, “about the dangers of the road?”

“D—­n his father!” replied the shreef; “I have talked to him, but these infidels have no prudence.”

Clapperton now called out, “A thousand thanks to you, my lord shreef.”

“May the blessings of God be upon you!” exclaimed the shreef.  “Oh!  Rais Abdallah, you are a beautiful man.  I will go with you wherever you go.  I was only speaking in jest to this dog.”

“My lord shreef,” said Clapperton, “I was aware of it from the first; it is of no importance, but, if the escort does not arrive to-morrow, I may merely mention to you, I shall certainly proceed, without further delay, to Kashna.”

This Clapperton said by way of alarming the shreef, who liked his present quarters too well, from the number of pious females, who sought edification from the lips of so true a descendant of the prophet; besides the chance such visits afforded of transmitting to their offspring the honour of so holy a descent.