happy humour to-day, the Sultan related many things of
his youth; his exploits, of course, which all men relate, and which I
shall likewise do, I imagine, if I live to be old. Showing us his
withered fleshless arms, and taking hold of his armlets, he observed:
"The time was when these armlets could not slip off. Now, see how easily
they come away." He then abused me for my leanness, and admired the
Taleb (Overweg), because he had more flesh on his bones. His highness
also stated that he and a single man went to Damerghou and back in
thirteen days, bringing a caravan of ghaseb. They never stopped on the
road, but travelled day and night. This garrulous gentleman also
declared he was the maker of his own fortunes--that he would not receive
anything from his father. When he was young, he would take no person's
advice; he did everything himself and from himself: but on the death of
his father he always kept to his post as Sheikh of Tintalous, and Sultan
of two towns in Soudan. He never moved this way or that way. Thus he has
remained to a good old age, respected and venerated by all, whilst all
his compeers have disappeared--not one remaining. He looks around for
the friends and companions of his youth, and finds not one--they are all
gone! Even now he allows no one in Asben to be greater than himself.
Even if a Sultan presumes to lord it over him, he (En-Noor) at once
knocks him down, and he is no longer Sultan in Asben. He remains,
however, friends with all if he can. He never takes notice of anything
which is not done under his own eyes; but when he sees a bad thing
committed, he then acts--killing the wicked people, if necessary.

The opinion of his highness of women does not flatter the ladies. He
recommended us never to listen to the advice of our wives; if we did, we
should be lost. The women were very well to fetch water, pound ghaseb,
and cook the supper, but for nothing else. He never, himself, paid any
attention to what they said; they were awful talkers. His highness here
touched on a tender point; for, as the reader remembers, he has been
beating one of his wives shamefully lately, because he pretended he was
alarmed at her continual talking--bewildered by the length of her
tongue! Proceeding in his confessions, the Sultan next related wonderful
stories of a wonderful maharee which he had in his youth. With this
maharee he rode to Aghadez in one day. With this maharee he chased, and
run down, and won gazelles,