Indeed, all these
districts are strictly Saharan. There are fine fertile valleys, but
between them are rocks and complete deserts; the trees, which somewhat
change from the aspect of those in Central Sahara, are the immensely
large tholukhs, some of them covered with parasitical plants; the doom
palm, and the souak tree. I have also seen the ethel hereabouts.
The houses of Seloufeeat and Tintaghoda have, however, a true African
aspect, being thatched with leaves of the doom palm. Some of them are
sheds, with a roof supported by four poles, under which the people
repose in the shade by day and by night shelter themselves from noxious
vapours.
The most extraordinary reports are beginning to circulate about us and
our affairs. It has been confidently spread about that the three Azgher,
who followed us from Tajetterat, had a letter in their possession, which
they were to show to all the population beyond the Ghat territory,
written by Khanouhen, to the effect that we were to be murdered, as soon
as we got beyond that territory, by whomsoever the attempt might be
made.
Another report is, that the sixty maharees, said to have been in pursuit
of us at Taghajeet, did actually arrive at that district, but finding us
too far ahead for them they returned; they came by the way of Tuat.
These Haghars were to have fallen upon us during the night, and murdered
all of us, even the Tanelkums, except Oud-el-Khair and two others.
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