We accordingly marched about two
hours, the marabouts accompanying us, and then pitched tent for the
night. Sinister rumours, however, were still about, like a flight of
ill-omened birds, and it was said that another troop of people were
collecting further on to intercept our passage to Soudan. During this
halt, grave conferences were held between the Kailouee merchant,
En-Noor, and the marabout, on the subject of these fresh reports. It
turned out that there were several people in the neighbourhood who were
dissatisfied that they had not shared in the booty, and might prove
troublesome. About thirty reals' worth of things were accordingly
selected for them.
_25th._--We started before daylight, and advanced about nine hours,
pitching tent in the afternoon at three. Our people are in better
spirits, anticipating the termination of the journey. However, we are
not yet free from cause of alarm. The Tanelkums, our companions, begin
to show symptoms of discontent, and in the evening I was obliged to make
presents to the whole of them. They have certainly worked hard for us,
and suffered much anxiety on our account.
Our course this day lay towards the mountains of Tidek, which form our
southern horizon. The country was a perfect desert. There was nothing
now to tell that we were near Soudan, except perhaps a few tholukh-trees
of gigantic stature. We did not halt upon the track, but, turning aside,
sought a fine valley, where there was abundance of hasheesh.
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