Prev | Current Page 226 | Next

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"


Sometimes, however, the camels went at least three miles an hour. We
have come, indeed, about 130 miles, and nearly all south; which has
brought us so much more within the influence of the climate of Soudan.
On the third day, at noon, the granite region disappeared, and we have
now sandstone again.
Some of our servants have begun to feel uneasy, and are becoming
troublesome, in consequence of these constant alarms of Haghar. To do
the free blacks justice, they behave well. Yusuf is getting out of
temper, and somewhat changed in manner. He is annoyed at seeing me not
place so much confidence in him as at first; I have reason to be
dissatisfied with his carelessness. Mahommed of Tunis is a good servant,
but at times impertinent.
I am getting rather more accustomed to our Kailouee companions. They are
dressed in most respects like the Tuaricks, but seem to take pride in
loading themselves with a luxury of weapons. To see one of them running
after a camel is really a ludicrous sight: bow, arrows, sword, gun,
pistols, dagger, stick out in all directions, and it is hard to imagine
how they would behave in the midst of this arsenal if attacked. The
chief of them is En-Noor, a person of mild and good manners--quite a
gentleman, in fact. He is a man of light complexion; but his two
companions are dark as thorough negroes. These individuals, Dedee and
Feraghe by name, are great beggars, and by no means scrupulous in their
conduct.


Pages:
214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238