t possible to disguise the
human countenance more completely?

The dark-blue cotton skirt of this lady was turned up behind over her
head, so as to form a kind of hood; but underneath she wore a coloured
petticoat. Generally, the women of Tintalous wear a frock, or chemise,
and a piece of cotton wrapper over their head and shoulders.[18] This
wrapper, which serves as a shawl, is not unlike, in effect, the black
veil worn by the Maltese women. The lady we saw at En-Noor's wore a
profusion of necklaces, armlets, and anklets of metal, wood, and horn.
She gazed about for some time and then went her way. After asking and
receiving permission to hoist the British flag over the tents, and to
fire a salute, we imitated her example. This is my first success in
diplomacy! On returning, we prepared for our evening's festivities, but
the tempest assailing us we waited till fairer weather.

[18] Answering to the gown and head-veil of the
fellahs.--Ed.

At five in the evening we hoisted the British flag, and fired no less
than a hundred musket discharges. I do not recollect that this ceremony
was ever before performed in the desert, in Bornou or Soudan, although
the union-jack certainly now flies at Mourzuk and Ghadamez, on the roofs
of the consular houses.

Now I pray God that our great troubles may be over in Aheer--little
troubles we must always encounter, and bear with fortitude. Our servants
and friends are much rejoiced at our success with En-Noor, and they
promise me farther success in Soudan and Bornou. Alas! God alone knows
what is reserved for us; but we must not despair after these, events of
Aheer. At first all was black, without one solitary ray of light; now,
all the Sultans of Aheer are determined they say, conjointly, to afford
us protection: whilst the people are showing themselves more friendly
every day.

A strange thing is a devoted slave. Zangheema is the devoted slave of
En-Noor. He is his right hand, his man of business, his vizier, his
shadow, his second self. Alternately Zangheema attends the marts of
Mourzuk and Kanou; and, fortunately for us, he is now going to Kanou.

_25th._--Whilst we were occupied in drying our clothes after the
previous day's tempest, we learned that another Sultan had put himself
on the list of beggars. His Excellency Astakeelee of Asoudee has written
a long letter to En-Noor, of which we are the subject. The substance is
that it is a sin (haram) to plunder us Christians