Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1 - Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's Government by James Richardson
page 101 of 292 (34%)
page 101 of 292 (34%)
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handkerchiefs for a vocabulary of the language of the Tibboos of
Tibesty. A visit to this singular oasis might repay a hardy traveller; but the people of the country have a faithless character, and it would be dangerous to trust to their promises of protection. The Tibesty Tibboos must not be confounded with the Tibboos of the salt-mines of Bilma, who have recently made their submission to the Porte. There is little connexion between the people, although they speak a similar language. The Bilma Tibboos lie in the direct route to Bornou, and were fully studied by the Denham and Clapperton expedition. _15th._--Continue to prepare papers to send home. Report the fact, that the functionaries of Mourzuk trade in slaves. _16th._--I had lent Mustapha a sword; but, after keeping it a night, he was obliged to return it, sending word that a firmân had been written to all the functionaries of the Porte, forbidding them to receive any presents,--an excellent measure, doing credit to the Sultan's administration. The great plague of the East is the system of bribery carried on under the form of presents. The pay of the Pasha is six hundred and fifty mahboubs per month, nearly all spent in the town. _17th._--The weather is extremely hot and sultry. The sun burns the umbrella if you pass for a few minutes under it. Even the natives complain of the extreme heat of the weather. _18th._--Not quite so oppressive; but, as Dr. Barth says, the south wind blows throughout Northern Africa in May. _20th._--This morning, the black who came with us, and had two wives, |
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