Wataitee, the elder of the
two, is very plausible, and undertakes to accompany us as far as Aheer.
It is to be observed, that the Tuaricks of this place have hitherto
never ventured to come to Mourzuk; and it is considered wonderful that
they have come for the first time at the summons of infidels.
My first plan was, to proceed by the direct route to Aroukeen with the
Germans and the Tanelkums, and from this place make an indispensable
expedition to Ghat. But circumstances compel me to march direct to that
place by the common road. Our escort is to cost us dear, but it will
ensure our safety. These Ghat Tuaricks, however great they may talk in
their own country, are really very poor; they subsist almost entirely on
the custom-dues levied on caravans. Wataitee himself said, "I am the son
of the Sultan, it is true; but I have nothing. If I stay in my country,
I do not feel my necessities much; but if I must escort you to Aheer,
then I must be well-clothed and fed, or else the people will say,
'Behold the son of Shafou, how poor and miserable he is!'" Besides
paying about two hundred Spanish dollars for the escort, I have had to
feed all the people, and furnish them with tents. They had led me to
expect much more reasonable treatment; but there is no help, and I feel
that I am not yet at the end of my troubles of this description. With
these prefatory remarks, I enter upon an account of my departure from
Mourzuk for the oasis of Ghat.
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