His
son, also, refused what I tendered, a fez and a turban, because it was
not enough. Everybody in Ghat who expected a present from us, seemed
determined to be satisfied with nothing less than a burnouse. The
Governor wished to appear perfectly disinterested amidst this confusion
and these extortionate demands of the Tuaricks. I was not sorry for the
refusals, for really I have ten thousand people to give presents to
before I return from the interior.
I do not consider that, after all, Haj Ahmed treated us so well as he
might have done. The first dinner was good; but the others were poor,
and some of it I could not eat at all. He was disappointed at my not
bringing him a printed Koran; but I could not, on this occasion, make
such a present.
Hateetah, in all these disputes at Ghat, has acted a double part.
Publicly he was our enemy; but privately he pretended to be our greatest
friend. He was imitated in his conduct by the son of Shafou, who seemed
to look upon him as his Mentor. On leaving, Hateetah promised that I
should see something wonderful which he would do for me, speaking of the
treaty. I am afraid that not much reliance can be placed on these fine
promises.
On the morning fixed for my departure, the Sheikhs and Haj Ahmed, seeing
me much grieved, out of health and out of temper, all came forward to
try and repair any mischief they might have done me and their own
reputation.
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