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they would have done their best. When the tumult was a little calmed, I
learned that two of our people, who had remained behind a short time at
the wells of Aisou, saw a Tuarick coming up to the place, and, two
others slowly following, all three mounted on tall maharees. They spoke
to the one who arrived first, and inquired if many were behind. To this
they received a laconic answer, "Yes." One of them accordingly, feigning
to retire, left his servant hid behind a rock to watch what took place,
and ran after us to communicate the unwelcome intelligence, that we
might expect an attack. We marched the whole day with our weapons in
hand, keeping a sharp look-out in the rear. Of course there was no other
subject of conversation than the robbers, of whose existence our fears
made us certain. Were they, after all, led by that Sidi Jafel, of whom
rumour had lately become so complimentary? Whence did these encouraging
accounts come? Were they circulated by persons interested in putting us
off our guard? Discussing these questions, we pushed on through a very
arid country, searching for one of those two blessings, which seem to be
always separated in this part of the desert,--water and herbage. We had
found the former at Aisou; the latter greeted us in plenty at a place
called Takeesat, where we encamped, intending to pass the night and the
whole of next day. The herbage was of the kind called _nasee_, which is
very strengthening for the camels.

I believed that the Haghar would not follow the Kailouees upon their own
territory, but I was mistaken. Just before sunset, to our surprise, we
saw rising above the hills around the valley where we are encamped,
three mounted men. These mysterious Haghar are then determined, we
thought, to pursue us Christians as their natural prey! The men rode
coolly up and mingled with us, probably understanding and enjoying the
looks of suspicion and terror that greeted them. No one thought proper,
at first, to address them a single question; and they were allowed to
picket their maharees without molestation. It must be confessed that
there was no little agitation in our camp, and everything was done to
give any attacking force a warm reception. We made barricades of the
boat, and kept watch all night. We also scoured the valley all round to
see if there were any other people about.

I must insist, for the credit of our gallantry, that it was not of these
three men that we were afraid. Our cara