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Richardson, James, 1806-1851

"Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1 Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's Government"



CHAPTER XIX.
Rainstorm--Overtures from En-Noor--Another Interview--Aheer Fashions--A
great Lady--Hoisting the British Flag--A devoted Slave--Sultan of
Asoudee--Attack on a Caravan--Purposed Razzia--Desert News--Buying
Wives--A peculiar Salutation--Oasis of Janet--New Razzias--Costume of
the Sultan--The Milky Way--Noise at a Wedding--Unquiet Nights--Sickness
in the Encampment--A captive Scorpion--Nuptial Festivities--An insolent
Haghar--Prejudice about Christians--Movements in Aheer--Bullocks.

[Illustration: OUTLINE OF PART OF AFRICA showing progress of the
Mission]


NARRATIVE OF A MISSION TO CENTRAL AFRICA.


CHAPTER I.
Origin of the Missions--Its Objects and Plan--Preparations--Arrival at
Tripoli--Prussian Colleagues--Necessary Delay--The Boat for Lake
Tchad--Wind-bound--Anxieties at Tripoli--Correspondence with Mourzuk and
Ghat--Circular Letter of Izhet Pasha--Composition of the Caravan--An
aristocratic Interpreter--A Mohammedan Toper--The Chaouches--Free Blacks
returning to their Countries--Marabout--Camel-drivers--Rate of Desert
travelling--Trade of Tripoli with the Interior--Slavery--Caravans from
Central Africa--Details on Commerce--Promotion of legitimate
Traffic--Spread of Civilisation.

Since my return from a first tour of exploration in the Great Sahara I
had carefully revolved in my mind the possibility of a much greater
undertaking, namely, a political and commercial expedition to some of
the most important kingdoms of Central Africa.


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