There
is a route which leads direct to Tuat from Taghajeet, and also another
from Aisou to Tuat.
With regard to the marabouts, they seem quiet enough. It would appear
there is an enormous fellow amongst them, who every year, during one
night, flies to Mekka and back again.
They report to the people that, insomuch as we are recommended by the
great Sultan of the Turks, Abd-el-Majeed, by the Pasha of Tripoli, and
all his marabouts, by the Pasha and great marabouts of Mourzuk, by all
the big and mighty people of Ghat and the Haghars, but more especially
as they have found our names written in their books, and that we were to
come to them and visit their holy city,--with a thousand other such
reasons--they (the marabouts) have determined to receive us with open
arms. The marabouts of all countries pretend to find events written
plainly, or shadowed forth, in their books.
After giving away about a hundred and fifty pounds sterling, the
greatest part, however, forced gifts, we have received our first present
in Aheer, viz. two melons, some onions, and a small quantity of wheat
this evening, from Haj Bashaw, the influential man of Seloufeeat,
already mentioned. There is still a drawback in this, for the giver knew
the father of Yusuf, and was anxious to show favour to his son, my
interpreter. But the fact must be recorded as something wonderful.
The people of our caravan, escort and camel-drivers, offer us nothing;
to them it would appear a sin to give anything to a Christian.
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