CHAPTER VIII.
Wars in the Interior--Anticipated Disputes--Mr. Boro of Aghadez--Our
Treatment at Mourzuk--Mustapha Bey--Start for Ghat--Row with the
Escort--Fine Weather--Leave Tesaoua--Sharaba--Travelling in the
Heat--Hateetah and the Germans--The Camels--Snakes--Journey
continued--Nature of the Country--Complete Desert--Rain--Overtake
the Caravan--Interview with Boro--Pool of Ailouah--The
Tanelkums--Halt--Birds--Bir Engleez--Wind in the Desert--Begging
Escort--Brilliant Heavens--News from Ghat--The Pilgrims
again--Bas-relief of Talazaghe--Moved over the
Desert--Mountains--Extraordinary Pass--Central Table-land of Fezzan.
Hateetah has brought stirring intelligence: the Sultan of Bornou is at
war with his brother. Ten thousand Tuaricks of Aheer have gone against
the Walad Suleiman; and, taking advantage of the opportunity, the
Tuaricks of Timbuctoo are marching from the other direction to fall upon
their brethren of Aheer. Quarrels of kites and crows!--Yes, to those at
a distance; but it is too much to hope that our caravan will prove a
lark's nest in some Saharan battle-field. We must pray that a general
peace shall be proclaimed in Central Africa during our march across the
desert.
However, we must not be frightened by rumours, and, indeed, are not. We
pass from discussion of this warlike intelligence to bargain with
Hateetah, who, as I have hinted, seems inclined to play the Jew, or
rather--to speak in character--the Tibboo with us.
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