what packing
we had to do, and saw Jupiter and the moon in positions nearly
resembling the Ottoman device. It was windy all yesterday and this
morning, with a considerable degree of cold.

To my astonishment when we had taken leave of Tintalous, we pitched tent
after half an hour's journey. This was done, however, for a twofold
reason: 1st, to see that all was right, and that we had left nothing
behind; and 2d, to buy ghaseb,--a supply having arrived from Asoudee
just in time for us to carry with us. Never was there a more picturesque
caravan. Ladies on bullocks, children and women on donkeys, warriors on
maharees, merchants on camels, the Sultan's horse harnessed going alone,
and following steadily; goats and their kids, sheep, foals of camels,
&c. running or straggling along! When we had pitched tent in the valley,
still in sight of Tintalous, En-Noor paid us a visit, and vouchsafed to
explain the reasons of our delay. His highness also related several
interesting things of Aghadez. The Sultan of that place, he says, is a
descendant of one of three brothers, Shereefs, who ruled in Africa over
the negro and other races. The eldest brother was Sultan of the West
(Morocco); the next was Sultan of Bornou; and the third and youngest was
Sultan of Aghadez in remote times. But how remote, it is impossible for
En-Noor to tell, and, of course, for me to relate. I was much amazed by
the predilection of En-Noor (who is not absolutely a white man) for
black people. He praised Overweg, because he was getting brown and
black. As for me, his highness was almost inclined to express his
disgust for the whiteness of my skin. Unfortunately, I happen to be what
the people call in England "very fair," except in those parts of my skin
which come in direct contact with the sun. I spent the day in compiling
a Haussa vocabulary, and hope to make considerable progress by the time
we arrive in Damerghou.

_3d._--This was my birthday, but of course it was unkept, and, indeed,
almost unthought of until it was past.

En-Noor again visited us, and drank with us coffee. His highness is
getting quite attached to my tent, and swears that when I return to my
country I must become a great man, and be made, like himself, a governor
or sultan of some country. Shall I say, Inshallah? I asked Yusuf to
explain why the Sultan thought so, and I could only learn that it was
the opinion which his highness had formed from my general conduct.

Being in a very