traveller to do so.--ED.

_26th._--We stay here to-day. There is some trouble amongst those
restless tribes, the Kaltadak and Kalfadai; and Yusuf was sent for this
morning by En-Noor to write some letters for him to these marauding
tribes. They are fighting amongst themselves. The route from the North
will never be safe for Europeans until these tribes are properly
subjugated; and when will that time come? It is now reported that we all
go to Zinder. I shall be glad of this opportunity to get a few dollars,
and then make the best of my way to Sakkatou. But our delay here renders
this trip always less certain, and seems to point out that I shall go
first to Bornou.

The most frequent parasitical plant, which is found upon nearly all the
tholukhs, is called _koushi_ in Haussa, and _barango_ in Bornou. It is a
fine plant, and its flower is not unlike the woodbine or honeysuckle,
but devoid of all fragrance. The leaves are succulent, full of moisture,
in shape a long oval, the longest not more than an inch and a quarter.
This parasite also fastens itself on other trees, and often kills the
branches from which it draws its strength--a real sap-sucker. The
karembo frequently dies in its embraces.

Hamma, the son-in-law of En-Noor, is not to go with us, on account of
the quarrels with the Kalfadai and the Kaltadak. He is exceedingly
disappointed, for it deprives him of making anything for himself in
Haussa; and En-Noor keeps him very poor indeed, as his highness does
everybody about him.

The salt-caravan is the affair of life and death for Aheer; and the
reason is now clear to me why it is that En-Noor goes every year with
it, and directs and superintends its movements. This is the greatest
service he can render to his country, and the Kailouees generally.
Without this salt the population of Aheer would soon all perish, or
emigrate to Soudan. The other commerce of the country could not suffice
for the support of the inhabitants.

_27th._--We had a visit from the people of the country before starting;
they appear to be a fine race of men, whiter than most of the Kailouees,
and nearly all tall. In these nomade districts the weakly children
generally die off, leaving only the robust. We journeyed on southwards
five hours, through wadys formed by the force of the waters, gradually
approaching the great Hamadah. The doom now disappeared, and most of the
trees dependent on much water; for here the wadys are all shallow.
Footm