ne in Zinder,
have great latitude of action. After hesitating still more about these
razzias, the Shereef said, "Oh, you see the strong devour the weak;
there are no regular governments here."

In the souk to-day, it was proved beyond all doubt that the Zinder
people sell themselves into foreign slavery. Many of the slaves for sale
had the Zinder scarified marks on their faces. There were also specimens
from Maradee. Slaves are sent from Zinder to Niffee. Indeed, it now
appears that all this part of Africa is put under contribution to supply
the South American market with slaves.

Zinder is considered within the circle of Soudan, and not to be Bornou,
but only a Bornouese province. The Sheikh has in this province several
Tuarick subjects, i.e. Tuaricks settled in the Zinder provinces.

The souk to-day was full of people, but goods of value were wanting.
Indeed, Zinder is now a poor place. Only the foreigners have any at
their command. The Sarkee is at this moment desperately poor, and is
going on this approaching razzia to raise money to satisfy his
creditors. Verily, this _is_ a "new way to pay old debts."

I heard a curious explanation of the reason why the people of Zinder do
not use mats or skins to lie down upon in the daytime. It is said they
are afraid, because the Sarkee does not use them, and they must not
display a luxurious taste not practised by their prince. This is the
explanation of the Shereef and the little court of Arabs and Moors by
which he is surrounded. "Like people like prince" is a proverb which I
think I have heard.

The Shereef told me this morning that he had made war with France, in
Algeria, fourteen years, and he had been a prisoner of the French seven
months. He said the French were people without religion, or faith in
their words and promises, and could not be trusted. He showed me his
French passport. However, he seems to have soon forgotten his troubles
in Algeria, and is quiet now. He writes well, and has received a good
education. His country is one day east of Tetuan, in the Rif mountains.
He is likely to be very useful to the Sheikh in Zinder.

I visited the souk again in the evening, and made a few small purchases
of curiosities; but there are very few things to be got in this market,
and those mostly come from Kanou. What things are made here are of the
rudest manufacture.

I passed the slave-market, and was greatly shocked to see a poor old
woman for sale amongst the rest