Borgu and Gando had opposed the advance of both France and England, the Borgus being an especially fierce and warlike tribe who refused to be conciliated. After a while the British succeeded in settling their differences with the King of Gando, but Borgu was still in doubt. In 1894 it came to the knowledge of the English that a French expedition had been sent out to make treaties with the Borgus. Immediately the news reached them the Niger Company sent out an English expedition to Nikki, the capital of Borgu, to try and get the treaty ahead of France. Fortune favored the English. Their party arrived three weeks ahead of the French, and the treaty had been made and all the arrangements concluded before the French expedition made its appearance. The French were of course angry that they had been outwitted, and have ever since declared that the treaties made by the English were of no value whatever, and that France would not respect them until they had been sent by the British Government to the French for approval. Bad feeling has existed on this point ever since, and it now seems about to break out into an open quarrel. The French complain that the British Niger Company, which rules over the affairs of this colony, is sending officers over into the Borgu territory to incite the natives to rebellion. This land France declares to be under her protectorate, because she refuses to recognize the English treaty. The English say that the French have no rights whatever in Borgu, and that if they behave themselves sensibly there will be no trouble, but if they trespass on lands that are under the influence of England by right of treaty, they will have to be taught a lesson. In the mean while a commission has been appointed to settle the question, and is now about to meet in Paris. * * * * * The prospect of a bad strike on the Croton Valley reservoir has just been averted. This strike appeared to be of such a threatening nature that the works were guarded by sheriffs, and the militia were called out to protect the property. The work which is being done is the building of an enormous wall which is to act as a dam, and collect the waters of the Croton and its tributaries into one monster reservoir, for the supply of New York city. The work has been in progress for five years, and it promises to be another four before it is accomplished. [Illustration: New dam] The majority of the workmen employed are Italians, many of whom have bought little plots of land and built homes for themselves near their work. Nearly five hundred workmen are employed, and for the convenience of these men and their families the company put up a large general store where they could get their provisions; and a boarding-house for the single men. Both of these were leased to an Italian named Joseph Rico.