They see now,
that, by a little resistance, the most audacious of thieves will be put
to flight. We ourselves shall also keep better watch for the future.
_18th._--I finished to-day a vocabulary of the Kailouee language. I
endeavour also to divert my mind from the many causes of annoyance that
now exist, by studying the records of the Denham and Clapperton
expedition. We shall soon be amidst the same countries that they
explored, and, no doubt, shall find that little has changed in the
manners of the people during these last thirty years. Neither in the
Desert nor in the kingdoms of Central Africa is there any march of
civilisation. All goes on according to a certain routine established for
ages past.
A courier has just arrived from the new Sultan of Aghadez, demanding the
gumruk, or custom-dues, from the caravan of Christians who have entered
Aheer. As if we had not already paid enough! After two or three weeks of
incessant solicitation, by the way, I gave Es-Sfaxee, Yusuf, and
Mahommed, a small bottle of rum--the first, and it shall be the last;
for they got drunk and quarrelsome upon it.
_19th._--This day I took a walk over the neighbouring rocks, whence
there is a wide view over the whole surrounding valley. I have omitted
to observe, that at our former place of encampment were seen many
scorpions; so that here these reptiles inhabit the open country equally
with the ruins of old houses or mosques, and such places.
Pages:
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320