Heat--Hateetah and the Germans--The Camels--Snakes--Journey
continued--Nature of the Country--Complete Desert--Rain--Overtake
the Caravan--Interview with Boro--Pool of Ailouah--The
Tanelkums--Halt--Birds--Bir Engleez--Wind in the Desert--Begging
Escort--Brilliant Heavens--News from Ghât--The Pilgrims
again--Bas-relief of Talazaghe--Moved over the
Desert--Mountains--Extraordinary Pass--Central Table-land of Fezzan.


Hateetah has brought stirring intelligence: the Sultan of Bornou is at
war with his brother. Ten thousand Tuaricks of Aheer have gone against
the Walad Suleiman; and, taking advantage of the opportunity, the
Tuaricks of Timbuctoo are marching from the other direction to fall upon
their brethren of Aheer. Quarrels of kites and crows!--Yes, to those at
a distance; but it is too much to hope that our caravan will prove a
lark's nest in some Saharan battle-field. We must pray that a general
peace shall be proclaimed in Central Africa during our march across the
desert.

However, we must not be frightened by rumours, and, indeed, are not. We
pass from discussion of this warlike intelligence to bargain with
Hateetah, who, as I have hinted, seems inclined to play the Jew, or
rather--to speak in character--the Tibboo with us. It will cost a large
sum to pass through Ghât, and obtain an escort to Aheer. As a
consolation, we learn that we are to be persecuted by Boro Sakontaroua,
sheikh of Aghadez, who is displeased that he has received no presents
from us. It would appear that the letters of Hassan Pasha rather
compromised us to employ him as our escort; but I am not responsible for
this, having never deviated from the original plan of procuring an
escort from Ghât. Indeed, I wrote to that effect immediately on my