particularly the souak,
the branches of which are eaten voraciously by our camels. It has
beautiful green foliage, and is very bushy and spreading. Wheat, and
ghaseb, and other grain are grown in the valley, where there is
abundance of good water. The wells are like those of Ghadamez,--that is
to say, an upright beam with a long cross-pole, having a stone at one
end and a rope and bucket at the other, serves to bring up the water.

We found here a caravan about to proceed direct to Mourzuk, and I seized
the opportunity to write by it to Government and to my wife. During the
night some mischievous people again drove away all the camels of the
Kailouees, as well as ours. This disturbed us much, and we anticipated
fresh extortion and plunder; but we were assured that we had now nothing
serious to apprehend.

_28th._--We stopped here all day to get back our camels. The caravan was
delayed, and I wrote a detailed account of our two affairs to
Government.

A nephew of Sultan En-Noor came to Seloufeeat this morning, having
heard, probably, of our arrival. By him I wrote to En-Noor, from whom we
expect an answer to-morrow.

In the evening eleven camels of the Kailouees were still missing, and
six of ours. Nevertheless, our people determined to go on next morning.
I felt much discouraged this evening. A succession of bad affairs was
constantly contradicting the assurances of our escort and their friends;
the people of Seloufeeat were also excessively troublesome: there seemed
no one in the place having authority. At last, near sunset, came forward
a certain Haj Bashaw, declaring that we had all been too badly treated,
and he would obtain for us redress. This man has considerable wealth,
and is in constant communication with Mourzuk, where he sends numbers of
slaves, and possesses property. He probably began to quake for his
property in Mourzuk, fearing the Turks would make reprisals. I went to
bed with the assurance of this man that he would get back for us our
camels; nevertheless, having been deceived a thousand times, I had my
misgivings. Yet I did not forget we had twice been delivered out of the
hands of bandits by our escort and friends, so that we ought not to
despair of seeing a brighter and a quieter time. After midnight I had a
few hours of refreshing sleep.

CHAPTER XV.

Leave Seloufeeat--"City of Marabouts"--Fair Promises--People
of Aheer--Aspect of the Country--Extraordinary Reports--A
Flying Saint--Pr