ophecies--A Present--Expense of our forced
Passage--Hopes--Fears--The Marabouts--Geology--The coming down of the
Wady--Inundation--Restoration of our Camels--Maharees from
En-Noor--El-Fadeea--Arab Tuaricks--Maghata--Picturesque Wady--Rainy
Season--Another Flood--Dangerous Position--Kailouees and Blacks--The
Escort arrives--The Marabout Population--Reported Brigands--The Walad
Suleiman--Pleasant Valley--Escort leave us--Difficulty of satisfying
them--Robbery--Proceed to Tintalous--Encampment--The Sultan--A
Speech--We wait in vain for Supper--Want of Food.

_Aug. 29th._--I rose early, and heard the good news that the camels
missing in the first affair were found and brought to our people. This
filled everybody with good spirits, and we got off as soon as we could
from Seloufeeat. We were obliged to leave the boat in the charge of a
faithful inhabitant, to fetch as soon, as we arrived at Tintaghoda.
Before starting, Haj Bashaw made Yusuf write a letter in his name to
Mourzuk, to the Bashaw Mustapha and Makersee, declaring that he had not
had any news of us or our coming, but that now we should be conducted
safely up to the country of En-Noor. This is the only man who seems to
have any authority in Seloufeeat: the marabouts could do little before
he came forward; the people live in the wildest state of lawless
independence.

In the morning before starting, the Sfaxee and Yusuf came up to me and
said, "All up to now was lies; but henceforth all is truth. You have
nothing more to fear--there is nothing now but good." This speech I most
devoutly devoured, and things certainly wore a brighter aspect this
morning. But we now anxiously wait news from En-Noor.

We moved up the valley of Seloufeeat, our spirits buoyant and mounting
high, whilst the air of the morning was soft and fresh, not unlike that
of Italy. After two hours we arrived at the City of Marabouts, or
Tintaghoda.

There is considerable variety in the physiognomy of the people of Aheer,
whom we have already seen; but in general, they have agreeable
countenances: and as to stature, many of them are very tall, though
apparently not very robust. Some are of light olive complexion, with
straight noses and thin lips; but others, indeed the great number,
approximate to the negro in feature.

This portion of Aheer is still poor in provisions. Indeed, all these
districts are strictly Saharan. There are fine fertile valleys, but
between them are rocks and complete des