reover,
had a call from some ladies nearly related to the Sultan. They all
wanted medicine, but for what they could not tell; so I gave them each a
taste of Epsom. This made them relish a bit of sugar, which I distribute
to them afterwards, and which appeased their grimaces and disgust. I am
pestered to death for medicines, and have visitors without number.

The Sultan sent word this morning to know if I had anything to sell, any
fine things from the Christian countries, for he wished to buy them. Our
people returned for answer that I was not a merchant, but belonged to
the Queen. He then begged me to give him a small quantity of my
medicines, for he had heard I had most wonderful drugs;--would I favour
him with some of every kind, that he might be prepared for all possible
complaints which might attack him hereafter, when I was gone? For the
present he is suffering from pains in all his joints; and requests, in
the first place, to be relieved from them. Compliance with these demands
was, of course, necessary. I therefore packed up small quantities of
emetics, acetate of lead, worm-powders, and Epsom, and also a little
camphor, and a little sticking-plaster, with a small bottle of Eau de
Cologne. With these I went to pay my respects. We found the Sultan in a
small private apartment. He was in an inquisitive mood, and began by
asking me all manner of questions, the subjects ranging from the affairs
of kings and princes down to the handkerchief round my neck. I should
observe that the Sultan requested Yusuf to taste the medicines before he
delivered them up to him, to see that there was no blood in them. So he
tasted the salts and the jalap; but I told him that the acetate of lead
was poison, and we wrote _sem_ upon all the packets. It surprised him
that we should administer poison to the eyes.

After the interview his servants showed me his horses. They were but
ill-formed animals, some heavily built, and others miserable-looking
creatures. Yet these are the pick of the whole country, and some have
been lately brought from Sakkatou, as the best which could be exported
from that quarter.

In the afternoon another slave of Haj Beshir arrived from Zinder,
seeking for me. He had brought a letter, but had orders if he did not
find me to return it to Kuka; so that I shall be without news until my
arrival. He, however, just knows that a caravan came from Mourzuk in
thirty-nine days, bringing this letter, which was forwarded t