n Bilma, by the Tibboos, in three
different manners. There is, first, the _canto_, a kind of pillar or
pedestal, about 16 inches high, and 3 or 4 broad in its widest part. As
to weight, 10 of these are a good camel-load, 8 a load for a small
camel, and 6 for a weak camel. Then there are two cakes, one of refined
salt and the other coarse. These coarse cakes are about 5 inches in
diameter, and the refined ones 7 inches, the former being about 3lbs.
and the latter 5lbs. in weight. When a caravan of Tuaricks arrive at
Bilma, they find the salt all ready for them, and they pay a barter for
it in this way,--a zekka of ghaseb is exchanged against twenty of the
coarse cakes; a zekka for six of the refined cakes, and three zekkas of
ghaseb for two of the pillars. Ghaseb appears to be the only staple
thing which the Tibboos receive for their salt; they may also take now
and then turkadias, or black turbans, and on the other side the Tuaricks
bring a few dates with them: the fruit, even those of the best quality,
are not very good or fine. This commerce of barter is managed almost
solely by the women: the men remain in their houses, whilst the women go
to the salt-pits or lakes, and transact this important business; but the
men do not run away, as is commonly reported. At least, so say the
Tuaricks. The supply of salt is inexhaustible. It is, probably, on
account of the weight of the salt, and the fatigue of the camels which
carry it, with the distance, that this commerce is not very profitable
to the Tuaricks; but this can only be ascertained in the markets of
Kanou, and other large cities of Soudan. There are only six months to
the rainy season, so I have just time to go to Sakkatou and return,
without waiting long at any of the intermediate places between Sakkatou
and Kuka.

Our encampment is under some rocks, where are seen the dens of lions. At
the mouth of these caves or holes are bones of animals and the dung of
the lions.

_15th._--I rose early, but we did not start till two hours after
sunrise. The caravan was a considerable time in loading. We have only
with us En-Noor's detachment of the salt-caravan, about 130 camels. We
may be quicker in our movements to-morrow. The first morning of starting
is always thus slow. We came to-day five hours: passed the picturesque
rock Mari, like a camel couchant, and entered after three hours the
Asoudee route, or the direct caravan route from Ghat to Damerghou,
through Aheer. Anothe