o 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.

It was an understood thing that the company should protect Rico from
loss, and agreed between the ma