He rolled the bark up carefully and tied it lightly on top of his load that it might dry in the sun as we went along, and we then resumed our journey, travelling on at a rapid pace until late in the afternoon, when we entered a large village on the bank of the great river. Here, while Fatima and Aminé were busying themselves with preparations for the evening meal, Isaaku borrowed a small shallow bowl in which he ground up some charcoal and a piece of gum with water, and having obtained some fowl’s feathers, laid the collection before me, with the bark, which he had cut up into pieces a few inches square. They were not ideal writing materials, but I found that it was possible to produce with them characters sufficiently distinct to answer the purpose; so I got to work while the light lasted, and wrote, from memory, on each of the squares of bark, the short but fine and dignified introductory chapter to the Koran. Our people gathered round and listened reverently while I read out the words of praise and exhortation, and I then distributed one of the squares to each of the men and to Fatima. The remainder, with the exception of three which I kept for my own use, I made up into a little package and handed to Isaaku, saying that perhaps he might like to give them to some of his friends. He was delighted with the gift, and most profuse in his thanks, and this being the last evening that I was to spend in his company, he directed Fatima to prepare some provisions for my use on the morrow. Then he took me aside to give me some advice as to my future proceedings. “Hast thou any friends in Bontúku?” he asked somewhat anxiously. “I hope to meet some of my countrymen there,” I replied. “I trust thou wilt,” said he uneasily, “for thou hast more piety and learning than worldly wisdom, and art but poorly provided even for a short journey.” “Man bringeth nought into the world and taketh nought away with him,” said I. “That is true,” he replied. “But while he is in the world he needeth food and raiment. Faith is precious, but it filleth not the belly. However, here is a little store to carry thee to Bontúku, and may God prosper thee and make thee as rich in the things of this world as thou art in those of the next.” He drew from the pocket of his _riga_ a small wicker bag full of cowrie shells and put it into my hand. “I like not to take thy _kurdi_,” said I hesitatingly. “Is it not enough that thou hast fed me since I met thee by the way?” “Not so,” he answered. “It is thou that hast fed us; besides thou knowest that the amulets that thou hast given me shall bring a good price among the merchants at Bori.” I had not thought of this, and now rejoiced to have a fresh means of getting a livelihood opened out to me; so I thanked Isaaku and deposited the _kurdi_ in my pocket.