was reported there that the Sultan of Aghadez
had given Barth a black tobe; not, by any means, a bad rumour. He sends
his slaves to Ghat from this place, and returns immediately to
Damerghou, taking letters for us to Zinder.

CHAPTER VI.

Medicine for Bad Eyes--A summary Proceeding--News from the
Salt-Caravan--Towns and Villages of Tesaoua--Earthquakes--Presents for
the Sultan of Maradee--Yusuf's Insolence--English Money in Aheer--A
Razzia on the Holy City--Bornouese Studies--Gipsies of Soudan--En-Noor
and the Marabouts--Ghaseb--State of the Weather--Calculations for the
Future--Senna--Relations of Man and Wife in Aheer--En-Noor in his
Family--Gouber and Maradee--Beer-drinking--Study of the Sau--Shara--The
Oulimad--Lions--Translating Jokes--Digging a Well--Projects.

_Nov. 14th._--I wrote this morning, by the slaves going to Ghat, to Mr.
Bidwell and my wife. En-Noor paid us a visit in the afternoon, and was
exceedingly civil. He promises me letters for Sakkatou, and to forward
Overweg to Maradee.

Our servant shot a large vulture to-day. En-Noor having bad eyes,
ordered the eyes of this bird of prey to be scooped out for a medicine.
This is not the first time that I have heard of the various parts of
animals being eaten, or otherwise used, to cure or strengthen the
corresponding parts in human beings. It seems to be an idea natural to
people in a rude or semi-barbarous state.

En-Noor related a pretty anecdote of himself and his younger days in our
tent to-day. After saying, that formerly the Asbenouee people were the
only folks considered bad in these parts, he observed, that now he
himself and the Asbenouee were certainly much improved in their manners
and dispositions; "for," added he, "there were once four fighis
(charm-writers) who employed people to speak against me, and bring me
into disrepute. What did I do? I called them to me, gave them fine
presents of burnouses and a great supper, with an apartment in which to
pass the night. But when they were fast asleep I dug a large hole,
fetched them all out of the room, killed them, and covered them up in
the hole. Now, however," continued his highness, "we do not go so far as
this, but content ourselves with taking away an enemy's camels."

_15th._--Weather cold this morning. Thermometer at sunrise, 43 deg.. I hang
the thermometer on the tent-ropes, just outside, at about a foot from
the ground.

Hamma (son-in-law of En-Noor) returned this morning fro