who, however, philosophically add that they are not quite sure it is
correct. I rewarded the courier with five reals, and sent him off to
Waled Shafou and the Sultan with the news; begging the former to meet us
certainly at Falezlez, which is about four days from this, whilst
Tajetterat is nearly eight. Janet is now only a day and a-half
south-south-west from our encampment. It is a small oasis, inhabited by
Moors and Tuaricks. The statistics of the place begin to interest us
exceedingly. We are told that there is a good deal of corn grown there,
on account of the abundance of water. Sidi Jafel Waled Sakertaf--whose
voluminous name we found it quite easy to learn under these
circumstances--is cousin of the Sultan Shafou, and a very old man; but
we cannot hope that in these frugal regions the gout will interfere in
our favour, and put a stop to this unprovoked foray.

The weather has been cool to-day. We are on high ground, although in a
wady; and this renders the heat very supportable. The reported attack
keeps our minds occupied, and has a little upset us; but no one talks of
flinching. Besides, this has not been the first alarm, nor will it be
the last. I sent an account of this circumstance so far to Lord
Palmerston by the courier; and should have written much more, had not I
been occupied with the news and with the Kailouees, who have chosen this
occasion to be troublesome. We do not get so much information, by the
way, out of these people as we might expect; they do not know the names
of the wadys and rocks hereabouts, and so pretend they have none.

The hundred dollars which we brought from Mourzuk are now nearly all
gone--I have only eight or ten left. Friend Sidi Jalef Waled
Sakertaf--how unmusical the name sounds!--will get little money from us,
and must content himself with our baggage, if he will play the robber.
For the cousin of a Sultan, fie!