the Azgher Tuaricks, in consequence of
the convenience of the place as a station for the caravans from Soudan
Proper, and other points of Central Africa. It is inhabited principally
by people of Moorish origin, but mixed and known as Ghateen. Haj Ahmed,
the governor, is also a Moor, born at Tuat. He is a marabout, or saint,
but is looked up to by the people for the settlement of all municipal
concerns. The Ghateen derive their subsistence almost entirely from the
caravans, although their little oasis is not unfertile.

But the political authority of the country resides entirely in the hands
of the Azgher Tuaricks. Azgher is the name of the tribe or nation, and
Tuarick is a generic title, which scarcely implies even community of
origin, assumed by nearly all the wandering people of the Sahara. There
are the Haghar Tuaricks, to the west of Ghat and south-west towards
Timbuctoo; and the corresponding people of Aheer are called the Kailouee
Tuaricks. At Timbuctoo itself are found the Sorghau Tuaricks.

The chief of the Tuaricks of Ghat is nominally the venerable Shafou,
whose son came with Hateetah to escort me from Mourzuk; but the virtual
sultanship resides in Khanouhen, the heir-apparent, or son of Shafou's
sister: for this is the order of succession in Ghat. Every Tuarick,
however, is in some sort a chief, and more or less influence is acquired
by age or personal qualities. The principal men have divided the sources
of emolument which the peculiar position of their country supplies them
with. Hateetah claims to afford protection to all private English
travellers, and to receive presents from them; another patronises the
inhabitants of Tripoli, a third those of Soudan, and so on. This
arrangement enables a visitor to the place to calculate with some
certainty about the amount of obligation he incurs. All the Tuaricks are
easily distinguished by their habit of wearing a litham, or muffler,
with which they conceal their mouths and all the lower part of their
face. This custom gives them a strangely mysterious appearance.

The house of Haj Ahmed, the governor, to which we were conducted, is
situated three parts of a mile from the town, which I did not enter
during my stay. It would not have done to expose myself to the familiar
impudence of the people, who had known me during my visit under very
different circumstances. Besides, my time was fully taken up with
business matters; so fully, that I scarcely had time even to w