Ibrahim, has been sultan twenty-five years. Under
his rule a rebellion took place against the Sheikh, who removed him,
made him prisoner, and promoted his brother to the governorship of the
province. But this new prince also rebelled; upon which the Sheikh came
with a large force a year ago, and restored the former governor,
placing, however, several persons here as a check on his authority. I
have already mentioned the influence of the Shereef of Morocco. But no
people in the world detest central government so much as the Africans,
and these rebellions occur yearly and monthly.

The facts which have been mentioned to me connected with the last
rebellion of Zinder, and its reduction by the Sheikh of Bornou, are
interesting, as illustrative of the present condition of these
out-of-the-way countries. The re-conquest proved to be no easy matter,
and required three months' siege, and sixty thousand men, commanded by
the Sheikh's best officers and the sultans of the neighbouring
provinces. When the revolted people had notice of the approach of this
force, they threw up a wall of earth round the city in the brief space
of three days only. Even Africans can be energetic when compelled by
necessity. The siege lasted three months, and many people were killed on
either side.

Before hostilities commenced the Sheikh sent for the brother of the
deposed prince, whom he had placed in power at Zinder; but the answer
was refusal. "If you want money," said the rebel chieftain, "here it is;
if you want slaves, here they are;--but I will not come to Kuka."
Ibrahim, the former and present sultan, had meanwhile gone to the
capital, and covered himself with dust in the presence of the Sheikh,
and obtained his pardon and the promise of his restoration to power. His
brother knew this well, and, of course, would not go to the capital. It
is surprising, however, that the rebellion could hold out so long
against so large a force; the people of Zinder must be framed for war.
The Tuaricks during the struggle stood by and looked on. The displaced
brother is now at Kuka, having there obtained the pardon of the Sheikh.
He fled to the Tuaricks after the capture of the town.

There are several pretty shady trees scattered through the town of
Zinder, planted mostly in the gardens of the grandees. The names of
three of these are, in Bornouese, rimi, jaja, and ilbug.

I have obtained some information on the slave-trade, which I here give
in its crude