_August 1._--We left Ajunjer early, and made five hours only, because
to-morrow there is no herbage until late in the evening. How tantalising
to be obliged to advance thus by short stages towards an ambuscade! We
take things pretty philosophically, however, and make geological
observations. Overweg (who begins to show signs of weakness) is
delighted that we have at length reached a region of granite. I think I
must have passed a great number of rocks of the same kind between
Ghadamez and Ghât. To the eye of an ordinary observer, some of them have
the same aspect as sandstone, or even limestone. This granite interests
us, especially as in the direct Bornou route there appears to be none at
all.

Dr. Barth compares the Tuaricks of Ghât and the Haghar to lions and
tigers, and the Kailouees to snakes. The comparison well hits off their
outward characteristics, but, as Overweg says, we must not judge of
these people by the ordinary rules of morality, or apply to them an
European standard. I suspect we shall have to put up with still more
extraordinary specimens of human nature.

We were proceeding, engaged in noticing the various colours and forms of
the granite, when there appeared advancing through the ravine ahead a
number of moving figures. At first, of course, we were a little alarmed;
but it turned out to be only a slave caravan--about twenty camels and
forty slaves. One of the little boys had an immensely large head--quite
a phenomenon. We, of course, eagerly questioned the merchants about
Sahara news, and especially as to whether the Tuaricks had made their
appearance at Falezlez or Tajetterat. They had neither seen nor heard of
the hostile party; and perhaps we may hope that all this is a rumour.
However, it looked very like truth; and, possibly, Sidi Jafel may know