I checked the articles and handed the more bulky ones over to Aminé (who was all agog to see me put on the fine clothes), thanking Musa most warmly for his scrupulous care and conscientiousness. “It is nothing,” he replied. “If thou hadst not come back we should have divided thy goods amongst us when we got back to Kano. But we like it better to give thee back thine own. Now, come and I will show thee thy room.” He led the way across the compound to an unoccupied room or hut, which he assigned to my use, and here Aminé deposited my property. “Now go in and put on thy fine clothes,” said Dan-jiwa, who had followed us, “for thy wife longeth to see thee fitly dressed, as, indeed, do I also.” I retired and rapidly made the change, while Aminé remained outside babbling ingenuously to the amiable giant. When I came out resplendent in _riga saki_, embroidered _wondo_, in turban and face cloth, and yellow slippers, the former gave a shriek of delight and clapped her hands. “Now thou hast a fine husband, Aminé,” said Dan-jiwa, laughing. “I see thou hast put on thy _laiya_,” he added, taking in his hand the leather-cased amulet that Pereira had included in my outfit. “We have often wondered about the writing on the back of it, which seems not to be Arabic, for even Musa could not read it. Dost thou know what it is?” I turned the _laiya_ over and looked at the back, and there, as Dan-jiwa had said, was an inscription, done with a lead pencil, and so inconspicuous on the black leather that it had escaped my notice. It was a good deal rubbed, but I made out without difficulty the words, “Open this case when you are alone.” “It is certainly not Arabic,” said I. “Perhaps some Christian has written upon it. It was given to me in one of the towns where there are Christian merchants.” “No doubt that is so,” rejoined Abduláhi, and the subject dropped. It will readily be understood that I was now consumed with impatience to be alone that I might probe the mystery of this leather case, but Abduláhi stuck to me like a leech, and I had no heart to shake the affectionate fellow off. Then it was necessary that Aminé, who had shared so cheerfully my poverty and hardship, should be made to partake of my good fortune, so I invited the pair to come with me and look at the market. There was not so fine a display as at Táari, but I managed to buy Aminé a fine new _túrkedi_, a silken _zenné_, or veil, a handsome pair of sandals, and a coral necklace, and with these purchases she tripped homeward, chattering with joy. Abduláhi I presented with a pair of finely-worked slippers, and for myself, I bought of the sandal-maker some of the slender thongs with which leather is sewn, and at another booth a few large-eyed needles. Having diplomatically sent Aminé and Abduláhi home with their presents, I made my escape from the market and hurried out into the country.