-Noor's brother. This man gave a good account of En-Noor,
and said he would certainly go with us. He observed, also, respecting
the Sultan's authority, "En-Noor governs everywhere--all Aheer, and even
Damerghou and Zinder." This must be taken to signify, En-Noor has great
influence in all these countries.

Asoudee is said by some to be a city, walled, and of considerable
extent, with many people; others represent it as being in ruins. I think
its ruins are mentioned in my Ghadamez itinerary. Unlike Tintalous, a
great quantity of provisions is stored up in that place.

Yusuf and the Sfaxee came this morning from En-Noor, and brought more
tranquillising news; but we have been obliged to give ten douros each
for finding the lost camels--almost as much as my white maharee is
worth. However, I remained in tolerably good spirits all day, cheered by
the favourable account given me of the Sultan. But woe to the man who
hugs himself in a feeling of security in Aheer!

Late in the evening Yusuf and the Sfaxee came from En-Noor with a most
threatening message. The Sheikh says, in substance, that "Everybody
wishes to attack us, and take away our property. To protect us,
therefore, and conduct us to Zinder, he must have, at least, seven
hundred dollars." At first he demanded one thousand, and then came down
to seven hundred. Such is the man to whom we are recommended as a friend
and protector. None of the robbers have yet taken so large a sum, so
that this is the greatest, grandest of the brigands! I went to bed
disquieted by the enormity of En-Noor's demands.

_14th._--As may be imagined, I passed an unquiet night, disturbed by the
most gloomy forebodings. It now appeared to me that all the amenity of
the Sultan had been assumed, in order that he might first get all he
could out of us by gentle means, previous to resorting to threats and
bullying. As to resistance, it is, of course, impossible, if imperative
demands be made. In the morning En-Noor sent a message, to the effect
that he could not see us unless we had made up our minds to give him the
seven hundred dollars. He is getting more and more bold and impertinent.
I deputed Mahommed Tunisee and the Sfaxee to him as negotiators. They
are to offer a present of five hundred dollars; that is to say, three
hundred for the escort to Zinder, and the remaining two hundred after
the signing of the treaty. With some difficulty the matter was for the
present arranged, by the sacrific