ll flutterers are seen.
About the wells of Tajetterat darted half-a-dozen quails. We have not
yet observed an ostrich, although many traces have been found on the
sand. Around, however, are numbers of the wadan,[8] and our huntsmen are
active. Yesterday some flesh of this animal was brought in.

[8] Wadan is the Arabic name of the aoudad of the Berbers. We
call the animal "mouflon" (_Ovis tragelaphus_). It is found
in considerable numbers throughout the deserts of Northern
Africa, from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. I have seen a
beautiful specimen, nearly all milk-white, in Cairo.--ED.

In this part of the route we frequently fell in with small heaps of
stones; and if we ask what they mean, are invariably told they are the
graves of slave-children who have perished by the way, most probably in
the arms of their mothers. What wonderful tales of sorrow and anguish
could these rocks give, if they were not compelled to eternal dumbness!
What sighs, what shrieks of grief have echoed here! How many tears have
watered this track! These thoughts saddened our way; but they seemed at
the same time to rouse that enthusiasm which is the only adequate ally
to those engaged in such a mission as ours.

The son of Shafou is to leave us at Esalan. I may as well record here,
in form, a list of our grievances against the Tuaricks, for the
information and warning of future travellers:--

1st. They, the Tuaricks, wished to obtain presents from the Germans,
nearly in the same quantity as from myself; or, at least, something
considerable.

2d. They wanted us to remain six weeks in Ghat, to wait for an answer
from Sultan En-Noor at Aheer.

3d. They refused to conduct us to the frontier of Aheer, according to
their agreement at Mourzuk.

4th. They demanded seventy reals for the passage of our free blacks.

5th. They insisted on having the presents for Berka, Khanouhen, and
Jabour, before the treaty was signed.

The first two demands I successfully resisted, as also the third at
Ghat. The fourth was compromised; we paid twenty-eight reals instead of
seventy. The last I yielded, on the condition that I should only give
three burnouses.

_13th._--The water of Esalan is, likewise, nothing but a deposit of
rain. Several holes are scooped out in the sand, down to the rocky bed
of the valley.

CHAPTER XIII.

News of Sidi Jafel--Disputes with Wataitee--His violent Conduct and
strange Language--The Desert--