Afterwards, peradventure, we may find a little repose;
but who can tell?
The rain incommoded us as we advanced. However, in two hours we arrived
at the little village of Asara, where half-a-dozen inhabitants greeted
us with a stare; and an hour afterwards entered the broad and spacious
valley of Tintalous, firing a salute as we did so, in compliment to the
inhabitants.
We had heard much of the great city of Tintalous; and I confess that,
though accustomed to desert exaggerations, my mind had dwelt upon this
place so long, that I expected a much more imposing sight than that
which presented itself. This mighty capital consisted of a mass of
houses and huts, which we calculated to be no more than a hundred and
fifty in number, situated in the middle of the valley, with trees here
and there interspersed. It was nothing but a large village. Still, as
the termination of our journey for the present, and its bearing a name
which has been hitherto thrown down at haphazard anywhere towards the
centre of the southern Sahara, we hailed it with delight. Both huts and
houses wore a truly Soudan character, and I felt that to a certain
extent the object of the Mission was already accomplished.
Mohammed En-Noor chose us out a good place for an encampment, upon some
sand-hills overlooking the entire country. When we had pitched tent, Mr.
Yusuf Moknee was despatched to carry our compliments to the great man of
the town, Sultan En-Noor.
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