On the 16th, the boat went off to the caravan;
the camels carried it very easily, to the astonishment of the good
people of Mourzuk. On the 17th, the thermometer was at 102 deg. in the
shade--in the sun, about 130 deg.. We received letters in answer to those
first written from Mourzuk, and learned that all the despatches written
on the road for Tripoli had arrived in safety. The Arabs, therefore, are
not quite so bad as they are represented.
_20th._--At length Hateetah may be said to be reported "in sight," and
we are busy preparing for departure. The escort has arrived at Tesaoua,
and will be here on Saturday at latest. As the Germans are still at
Tuggerter, we shall proceed on the Ghat route together, after all: it
will be a tough piece of work, whichever way performed. The heat
continues intense--from 100 deg. to 104 deg., and 130 deg. in the sun. Cooler
weather is expected in August; but at present all the natives complain,
and fevers are becoming prevalent. In the desert we shall escape that
danger; for disease comes only in the moist depression of the plateau on
which Mourzuk stands. We hear talk, by the way, of a fine new
route--only forty days--just opened, from Ghat to Timbuctoo, across the
deserts of Haghar. The present Sultan of the Haghar Tuaricks is called
Ghamama.
One of our party, who undertook to accompany us to take the management
of the boat, has not proved equal to the occasion; and I have therefore
written to Tripoli, to request that two Moorish sailors, of Jerbah if
possible, should be sent up by the direct route to Bornou.
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