The Kailouees have changed in a marked manner since Wataitee has rejoined us, and are much more civil.  But I do not talk to them, contenting myself with a civil “Good day.  How do you do?” This prevents them from begging of me.  They beg of Barth and Overweg, who do not notice them.  As I am “the person who gives,” I am obliged to be very polite, but distant.

8th.—­We started at sunrise, and made a short day of seven hours and a-half, resting at last in a wady surrounded with rocks, where there was some good herbage.

In the course of this march we met another portion of the large Soudan caravan, and consigned to it our letters.  They brought the news that the Tanelkums were a day only in advance, having halted to take up water at Aroukeen, where they dug again the old well which had been blocked with stones.

This caravan informed us, besides, that the body of the large caravan was resting at the well of Tajetterat.  They had seen no Tuaricks.  We begin to hope that we have been disturbed by false alarms.

At about four hours from the encampment of yesterday we descried some mountains to the south-west.  Near them is the well of Janet, said to be about seven hours out of the line of route.  It is a frequent resort of Tuaricks, who come to the neighbourhood for hunting purposes.  All this region is favourable to sport.  Along our route to-day were noticed footmarks of wild oxen and wadan.

Wataitee asked me whether he should go to see if there were any Tuaricks at Janet, to get news of them; but I told him that he had better continue with us until we reach Tajetterat.  This he has agreed to do; and we all feel that his presence is, to a certain extent, a protection.

In the evening we had a visit from three Tuarick sportsmen, with a couple of dogs.  We purchased two carcases of wadan from them.  It would have been most amusing to an untravelled European to witness the bartering between us.  The principal hunter got hold of the grey calico, and would not let go until he had his full measure.  Then how deliberately he measured again with his long arms, with all the appearance of justice, whilst he was filching off inches at once!  Two small carcases cost us about a mahboub.  Wataitee pretends that these hunters never carry provisions with them, but must catch wadan and oxen or die.  I made a tremendous supper of wadan, being as ravenous as a wolf for a little meat and soup.  The meat is so strong and nourishing, that it threatened to produce injurious effects.  It is necessary to be cautious about indulging in unaccustomed food.  Still this meat is far superior to camels’ flesh.

9th.—­We rose, and, with our accustomed regularity, started before daybreak in search of water, for the Kailouees are without this element essential to life in the desert.  Having continued about six hours and a-half, we encamped in Wady Aroukeen.  It would not have been necessary to come to this place, had our imprudent Kailouees taken in a sufficient supply of water.  This wady lies east and Tajetterat west.