or. That he might not be disappointed, however, I sent him his
customary tea; and amused myself by hearing the Sfaxee discourse of that
constant subject of conversation, the attack of the Fadeea. According to
him, on that occasion great fear was felt by all the caravan. Most of
our servants had formed the resolution to abandon us. There were,
however, some honourable exceptions; amongst the rest, Said, the great
mahadee, and another. Yusuf and Mohammed Tunisee proposed the plan, that
we three, the Germans, and myself, should be mounted on maharees, and
either conveyed back to Aisou or forward to Tintaghoda, during the
night. Some of the Kailouees wavered, as well as the Tanelkums; but
En-Noor (of our escort) always declared that he would never consent to
our being given up. The next morning, two or three of the assailants
were very bold, and came and called out in an authoritative tone, that
we must be given up. It is curious that, in spite of all the force that
was mustered against us, as soon as they saw that we were determined to
resist them, they immediately began to parley. The Sfaxee is an immense
talker, and great allowance must be made for what he says. In reality,
we shall never be able to know the exact truth with respect to this
affair. Dr. Overweg confesses that he was terribly alarmed as well he
might be. For my part, I was more used to desert dangers, and slept all
night. Dr. Barth very kindly refused to allow anybody to awaken me.

CHAPTER II.

Muslim want of Curiosity--Gossip on Meteors--A Family Broil--Rationale
of Wife-beating--Abominable Dances--Evil Communications--Dr.
Overweg--Kailouee Vocabulary--Windy Day--Account of Wadai--Madame
En-Noor--Profits of Commerce--The letter _Ghain_--Fellatah
Language--Introduction of Islamism--Desert Routes--Trade in Agate
Stones--A lively Patient--The Eed--A Visit _en masse_--Arrival of the
Boat--Butchers--Exchange of Visits with the Sultan--Diet--A Shereef--A
delicate Request--Information on Maradee--Tesaoua--Itinerant
Schoolmasters--En-Noor's Territory in Damerghou--Unpleasant
Communication--Amulets--The Foundation of a City in the
Desert--En-Noor's Political Pretensions.

_Oct. 10th._--My garrulous friend the Sfaxee has gone off this morning,
to bring his merchandise from Tintaghoda. The little fighi came, as
usual, to see me. I showed him the Arabic New Testament. He read a few
sentences, and then laid the book aside. I offered it to him, but he
refus