They afterwards made a collection of small articles of clothing, and
other little things. I gave them a handkerchief, with which they were
greatly delighted.
We had a perfect Soudan atmosphere to-day. The heavens were surcharged
with clouds, and when the sun appeared through them for a few minutes,
it was burning, scorching hot. The abundance of herbage and trees in
Wady Jeenanee combined with these circumstances to show that we had
entered the gates of a new climate.
_21st._[9]--We started late, seven A.M., and journeyed about six hours,
the camels eating nearly all the way, which gave our Tuarick caravan the
appearance of a company of Arabs. To-day the herbage and trees
increased, in abundance and variety, and we saw several pretty wild
flowers. We observed many Soudan trees, or trees with tropical aspects.
Our route lay through rocky valleys, over a bed of fine granite sand.
The rocks were all blackened, forming a gloomy landscape, especially as
all the morning the heavens were one impenetrable mass of clouds. The
atmosphere felt, at first, damp and suffocating; but at length the wind
got up, and we breathed more freely.
[9] Here is a day repeated in the journal; but as it is not of
much moment, I have made no alteration.--ED.
CHAPTER XIV.
Enter the inhabited Districts of Aheer--Hostile Tuaricks--An impudent
Demand--The Merchant Waldee--Prepare for Defence--Threatening
Appearances--Making Friends with Presents--March--Leave
Waldee--Doubtful Visitors--The Camels stolen--The Troop of Assailants
draws nigh--Parley--Their Proposition--We are compelled to a
Compromise--Character of our Enemies--Sinister Rumours again--Proceed
toward Tidek--Wady of Kaltadak--Picturesque Scenery--A Friend from
Seloufeeat--Fresh Mob collects to attack us--Conferences--We are to be
let go scot-free if we become Muslims--We repose--Another Compromise for
Money--Incidents during the Night--Quarrel over the Booty--Enter the
Valley of Seloufeeat--Its Soudan Appearance--Nephew of Sultan
En-Noor--Haj Bashaw of Seloufeeat--We are still uneasy.
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