A wild and lawless set are these borderers of Aheer.  The gathering was evidently a spontaneous one of all the blackguards of the country.  Even the marabout complains, that during the expedition he has lost his burnouse, carpet, and fez, whilst he was saying his prayers, pious man! and beseeching for strength to overcome the infidels!  He was on his knees, when a fellow of his troop came softly up behind, appropriated his things, mounted his camel, and fled away—­“whist,” he says, like the wind, and was soon out of sight, and appeared no more.  By the way, the three Azghers were frightened, or corrupted, in the morning, and went over to the enemy.  They change sides with fortune; and when some shots were fired by the enemy, by way of bravado and to expedite the conferences, one of their muskets was brought into play, and of course my powder!  I am happy to reflect, however, that they got none of the booty this time, and have “’filed their minds” for nought.

As soon as we got back our camels we proposed to, move on, our people evincing the greatest anxiety to get away from a place where such disagreeable things had happened.  We accordingly marched about two hours, the marabouts accompanying us, and then pitched tent for the night.  Sinister rumours, however, were still about, like a flight of ill-omened birds, and it was said that another troop of people were collecting further on to intercept our passage to Soudan.  During this halt, grave conferences were held between the Kailouee merchant, En-Noor, and the marabout, on the subject of these fresh reports.  It turned out that there were several people in the neighbourhood who were dissatisfied that they had not shared in the booty, and might prove troublesome.  About thirty reals’ worth of things were accordingly selected for them.

25th.—­We started before daylight, and advanced about nine hours, pitching tent in the afternoon at three.  Our people are in better spirits, anticipating the termination of the journey.  However, we are not yet free from cause of alarm.  The Tanelkums, our companions, begin to show symptoms of discontent, and in the evening I was obliged to make presents to the whole of them.  They have certainly worked hard for us, and suffered much anxiety on our account.

Our course this day lay towards the mountains of Tidek, which form our southern horizon.  The country was a perfect desert.  There was nothing now to tell that we were near Soudan, except perhaps a few tholukh-trees of gigantic stature.  We did not halt upon the track, but, turning aside, sought a fine valley, where there was abundance of hasheesh.  Our camels greedily devour the luxuriant bou rekaba.