I am getting rather more accustomed to our Kailouee companions.  They are dressed in most respects like the Tuaricks, but seem to take pride in loading themselves with a luxury of weapons.  To see one of them running after a camel is really a ludicrous sight:  bow, arrows, sword, gun, pistols, dagger, stick out in all directions, and it is hard to imagine how they would behave in the midst of this arsenal if attacked.  The chief of them is En-Noor, a person of mild and good manners—­quite a gentleman, in fact.  He is a man of light complexion; but his two companions are dark as thorough negroes.  These individuals, Dedee and Feraghe by name, are great beggars, and by no means scrupulous in their conduct.  I steadily resist their demands.  En-Noor manages to preserve his dignity by their side.  He tells me he will go along with us as far as Zinder.  The Kailouees have some servants with them, very good-humoured black fellows.  Of the Tanelkums I know little; but Haj Omer, who will accompany us to Kanou, seems a man of courage and tact.  There are two or three venerable old men amongst these Tuaricks, together with some young ones.  They all feel the civilising effect of visiting Mourzuk.  Certainly this people could do much, if they pleased, for the civilisation of Africa; but at present they are actively engaged in drawing out of the unfortunate central countries the capital requisite to maintain even their existence.  Of Boro, the sheikh of Aghadez, I cannot yet venture an opinion.  They say, he spoke sharply against Hateetah and Wataitee.

To return to the Kailouees.  I imagine they must resemble all the men we shall find in the interior, in one respect—­the love of women.  They are eloquent in describing the beauties of the cities of Soudan—­eloquent, I mean, in their sensual style, of which I cannot venture to give a specimen.  The Tanelkums, children of the desert, are, like the Haghars, far less sensual in their imaginations, and indulge less in amorous conversation.  There are some comely women-slaves in the caravan, but most of them are very plain.  They have in general negro features, but a few are light in complexion.  Their clothing is poor, without any attempt at finery; but when they have prepared the food of their masters they take their shares freely.  They walk well on the road when necessary, and being light and slightly made, do not appear to suffer from fatigue.

As a rule, all these women are modest and decorous in behaviour, and are treated with considerable respect.  No master interferes with the slaves of another, and most of them are permitted in their turn to ride.  A poor creature belonging to a Tuatee, however, is forced always to trudge on foot, although its master often takes a lift himself.  Two of the women have infants in their arms—­little things, as knowing, to all appearance, as those that can run.  These mothers, with their children, are treated with great tenderness and care.