, in order to get back our
camels and be allowed to proceed. Even then, however, our caravan lost
nine animals; so that the Kailouees suffer more even than we do. We were
obliged to put up with all this, and were glad enough when the Shereef
Marabout at length professed himself satisfied, and volunteered his
protection for the future.

A wild and lawless set are these borderers of Aheer. The gathering was
evidently a spontaneous one of all the blackguards of the country. Even
the marabout complains, that during the expedition he has lost his
burnouse, carpet, and fez, whilst he was saying his prayers, pious man!
and beseeching for strength to overcome the infidels! He was on his
knees, when a fellow of his troop came softly up behind, appropriated
his things, mounted his camel, and fled away--"whist," he says, like the
wind, and was soon out of sight, and appeared no more. By the way, the
three Azghers were frightened, or corrupted, in the morning, and went
over to the enemy. They change sides with fortune; and when some shots
were fired by the enemy, by way of bravado and to expedite the
conferences, one of their muskets was brought into play, and of course
my powder! I am happy to reflect, however, that they got none of the
booty this time, and have "'filed their minds" for nought.

As soon as we got back our camels we proposed to, move on, our people
evincing the greatest anxiety to get away from a place where such
disagreeable things had happened. We accordingly marched about two
hours, the marabouts accompanying us, and then pitched tent for the
night. Sinister rumours, however, were still about, like a flight of
ill-omened birds, and it was said that another troop of people were
collecting further on to intercept our passage to Soudan. During this
halt, grave conferences were held between the Kailouee merchant,
En-Noor, and the marabout, on the subject of these fresh reports. It
turned out that there were several people in the neighbourhood who were
dissatisfied that they had not shared in the booty, and might prove
troublesome. About thirty reals' worth of things were accordingly
selected for them.

_25th._--We started before daylight, and advanced about nine hours,
pitching tent in the afternoon at three. Our people are in better
spirits, anticipating the termination of the journey. However, we are
not yet free from cause of alarm. The Tanelkums, our companions, begin
to show symptoms of discontent, and in th