ll known, even in Europe, for their freebooting
propensities. They lie between the Oulimad and the Azgher tribes
surrounding Tuat, and are some of them engaged in commerce.

The Sagamaram (or Sgamara) are an interesting small tribe, located in
the rocky valleys, along the line of the route from Aisou to Tuat. They
are mostly dressed in leathern clothes, and trade with Tuat, taking
their cloths and a fragrant herb called _debau_, which they exchange
against dates, &c. They likewise come to Aheer and Soudan, and fetch
slaves and goods for the souks of Tuat. They are a very pacific tribe,
not unlike the Tanelkums, but carrying on more commerce.

The Maghatah (or Maratah) are a thievish race, and have the vices of
their mothers, those peculiar to Soudan, as well as the more ferocious
traits of Berber bandits. Several of these people are in Janet.

In concluding these imperfect general observations on the state of Aheer
or Asben, I will only add that the country extends from north to south
eleven days' journey, or about two hundred and twenty miles (twenty
miles to the day); and east and west, eight days, or one hundred and
sixty miles. Aghadez, the largest town or city, stands, as has been
seen, alone; and may be considered as a kind of connecting link,
politically and otherwise, with the black countries to the south. I have
already endeavoured to explain the singular constitution of society in
this large but thinly-peopled tract. We observe there a curious
combination of the monarchical and patriarchal states, with a dash of
democracy into the bargain. Several times I have been reminded of
Homer's heroic age. The princes and the people seem alternately to
appear on the scene, exercising sovereign sway. The great Sultan is
elected from out of the country; but he is compelled to seek the
ratification of the chiefs, the elders, and the populace within. Then
there is the great chief of the Kailouees, whose town or camp is at
Asoudee; with Sultan Lousou, a most influential man; not to speak of the
great En-Noor himself, who has, perhaps, personally, the greatest
political weight of them all. Each of these great men is perpetually
surrounded by an army of retainers, dependants, and slaves; and public
affairs are transacted, partly according to some old routine, difficult
for a stranger to understand, partly after the fashion of "Arabian
Nights," kings meeting casually at the head of great armies in some
poetical wilderness. Al