Gubga is a Bornouese measure, eight draas (or lengths of the lower part of the arm, from the elbow to the tips of the fingers) in length and one inch and a half broad.  Denham, who spells it gubka, says it is about one English yard.  The eight draas would be, however, nearly three yards.  This measure is applied to white, coarse, native-woven cotton, and a piece of cotton eight draas long and one inch and half broad is a gubga.  This is the money of Bornou; it must be a most inconvenient currency, but habit accustoms us to everything.

It is reported in town, that En-Noor intends shortly to make a razzia on the towns where we were plundered:  he says, perhaps justly, “The tribes have ‘tasted’ fine burnouses, more especially their sheikhs; and emboldened by their success, and the attractiveness of the rich vestments, they will now plunder all the caravans.”  This is another reason why strong representations should be made to the Pasha of Mourzuk to grant us redress.  En-Noor can seize camels and sequester them; he can also seize men:  but he must afterwards send them to Aghadez for trial.  This razzia, however, will not come off yet.

A storm of wind, with at little rain as usual, visited us in the afternoon.  It then cleared up, and was fine all the evening.

The Es-Sfaxee, heading our servants, was determined to fire away a little gunpowder this evening though much against my inclination.  After they had been firing near the tents, En-Noor sent for them to fire at the doors of his house.  The old Sheikh is now waxing mighty civil, and swears that we are his walad (children).  We shall see what we shall see.  Yusuf even thinks he can be persuaded to sign the treaty.  All the Kailouees are very fond of powder, and also very much alarmed at it.  They say they could themselves make plenty of powder if saltpetre were found them.

21st.—­It appears that some of the districts of Damerghou are included within the circle of Aheer, and that the Kailouees exercise authority there.  En-Noor has a house there.

Overweg’s three hypotheses of danger south of Bornou are:—­

1.  To be stripped of everything by robbers, and left naked in the wilderness.

2.  To be devoured by wild beasts.

3.  To be forced to traverse a desert where there is no subsistence for man or beast.  Indeed, after the experience we have had up this road, although a Tuarick road (and Tuaricks are not supposed to have a peculiar antipathy to Christians), it will be next to suicide to proceed far south without adequate guides and protection.

The two predominant passions of men in all these Tuarick countries, especially Aheer, are for dress and women.  A few only are tainted by fanaticism, and fewer still are misers; because, probably they have nothing to save.  Of the character of the women I cannot speak, for want of experience; the few we have met with have begged mostly for trinkets, and looking-glasses, but we have seen little of the love of intrigue.