that all the things of us Christians were considered
by the Kailouees generally as common property, and that whoever could
lay hold of any ought to do so without qualm or scruple; but, he added,
when you arrive in Zinder, all will be changed. Let us hope so,
_Inshallah_!

Strings of charms are worn by the men occasionally under the arm, or
suspended over the shoulders, as well as round the neck. The charm or
armlet of the Moors and Tuaricks corresponds with the _Fetish_ of the
ancient Kohlan, people of Soudan, and of the present negro races on the
western coast.

I finished the statistics of the towns and villages of Asben--after all,
a very imperfect affair. Nevertheless, it is the best which I could make
from my materials.

En-Noor paid me a visit in the morning, and stopped gossiping two hours.
From him I learnt that the Fellatah language has no relation to the
Arabic or Tuarick, but is quite a language peculiar in itself. He also
informed us that the Gouberites were still at war with the Fellatahs of
Sakkatou; that they were united with the people of Maradee, ancient
Kohlans like themselves, and that this united force had been lately
gaining their lost ground against the new Muslim powers in Soudan.
En-Noor seems to favour the re-establishment of these people against the
Fellatahs. The latter he naturally hates, on account of their attempts
on the independence of the Kailouees, and their perpetual intrigues at
Aghadez.

With regard to Tesaoua, En-Noor pretends that he founded this city. His
statement is singularly suggestive and picturesque in its simplicity. He
says that he met, on the spot where Tesaoua now stands, a forlorn man,
with only two slaves.

"What are you doing?" he said to the man.

"Nothing," the man replied. "What can I do, naked as I am, with myself
and two slaves?"

"Oh!" rejoined En-Noor; "stop a minute, and I will bring you a multitude
of people, and we together will make a large city." En-Noor kept his
word, and brought a multitude of Kailouees, Kohlans, and their slaves.
Now Tesaoua is a mighty city, and En-Noor has got a small town of his
own near it, mostly peopled by his dependants. Such is the foundation of
many African cities; these places springing up as mushrooms, and
disappearing as soon.

En-Noor also pretends, that through his father he is heir to the thrones
of the ancient Kohlans, about Kashna, Gouber, and Maradee, and that he
ought to come into possession after the deat