a frown on their brows and their mouths closely
muffled up. This man is the most considerable merchant of Ghat, and
exerted himself greatly to procure us an escort of Kailouees. I gave a
white burnouse to him and his son. They both sent us a dinner. We were
fortunate in finding a party of Kailouees here on their way to Aheer.
They have agreed to act as escort, which renders us in some measure
independent of the son of Shafou.

During my residence at Ghat I received a visit from my old friend
Ouweek, and also from the old bandit whose acquaintance I made at
Ghadamez. Ouweek was very complimentary, and shook me cordially by the
hands. He observed, "There is no fear in this country; go on in advance:
this country is like Fezzan." I then brought him out some tobacco, and a
handkerchief to wrap it in. As usual, he did not seem satisfied with
this; so I added a loaf of white sugar. He then noticed Yusuf, and thus
addressed him: "Yusuf! I have heard that Hateetah and the son of Shafou
are about to conduct these Christians to Soudan. I am a better man than
them all! Now Hateetah and Waled Shafou will want this sugar and tobacco
on the road. I leave it for them." On this he started up on two sticks,
for he is doubly lame, having the Guinea-worm in both legs, and went
away hurriedly. I, however, sent the sugar and tobacco after him, and
this time he condescended to accept them. He came to see me mounted on
his maharee (or dromedary).

To the old bandit of Ghadamez I also presented some tobacco, and he went
his way. Fortunately there were few Tuaricks in Ghat at this time,
otherwise I should have had hosts of such visitors. The absence of these
grasping chiefs has interfered, it is true, with the treaty of commerce;
but it is possible, that even had Khanouhen been present some other
shift would have been discovered. There are now present in Ghat only the
Sheikh Jabour, Waled Shafou, Sheikh Hateetah, Sheikh Ouweek, and Haj
Ahmed, the governor of the town. The Sultan Shafou himself is on the
road to Soudan, and we shall probably meet him in a few days on our way.
I have, however, sent this aged chieftain a handsome sword from the
English Government, by his son, to whom I gave it in one of the public
meetings.

With reference to the treaty, it may, perhaps, be considered in a fair
way to be finally accepted. At the winter souk every person of influence
and authority in the country will be present, and in the form in which I
have p