Zinder--The
great Drum--Dyers--Tuarick Visits--Rationale of Razzias--Slaves--"Like
Prince like People"--French in Algiers--The Market--Old Slave--Infamous
System--Plan of the great Razzia.

_Jan. 20th._--I received visits as usual, and one from a younger brother
of the Sultan, whom I treated with coffee; and I also gave him a cotton
handkerchief and a ring, so that he went away highly satisfied. He had a
numerous train, all of whom had a peep at the show and a bit of sugar.
This brother of the Sultan is a pleasant-looking fellow, a very
different character from the man in power. He asked for saffron to
colour charms with; but I had none to give him.

Those who expect to find Zinder a great commercial depot will be much
disappointed. The principal merchants here are the Sheikhs En-Noor and
Lousou, and the other Tuarick of Asben, whom I have mentioned, called
Haj Abdoua. Of Zinder merchants there are but two of consequence, the
Morocco Shereef, Konchai, and Haj Amurmur, a Tibboo. The latter is
always resident; but Abd-Effeit, or Shereef Konchai, goes abroad and
trades. Both these are foreigners. There are, besides, a number of small
traders, Tibboos and Fezzanees, who drive a few hard bargains with the
Governor. At the present moment his highness has no money. All the
specie is quickly carried off to Kuka. The Tuaricks have the goods and
the money, and often make their own prices; but as they always demand
ready cash, are obliged to wait long before they can dispose of their
goods. Burnouses alone bring a great profit; for these are sold to
sultans, who require a credit of several months. I am afraid I shall
have to give a very poor account of the commerce of this portion of
Africa, with reference to its being profitable to Europeans. The greater
part of the goods in Kanou are cheaper than those found in the markets
of Fezzan, or even Tripoli. The only way in which this commerce pays the
Moorish merchants is by the purchase of slaves; and this, from casual
circumstances _en route_, frequently turns out a loss. All the traders
found on this road are mostly poor fellows, with small capitals: there
is no equal to Waldee.

Here is a statement of the prices of provisions in the market of
Zinder:--

An ox, 10,000 wadas (for riding).

A cow, for food, 8000.

(N.B. Cows only are eaten, bullocks being used for riding and carrying
burdens.)

A sheep of the first quality, 1500 wadas.

A goat of the first quality, 1000.