Under one of
my boxes was also discovered a lefa, the most dangerous species of
serpent in these countries.
It appears that most of the caravans that pass through this country are
obliged to pay a certain gumruk to the prince of Aghadez. The relations
of the lesser Sheikhs of Aheer with the paramount sultan are of this
kind. When a sultan dies, or is displaced, they assemble like the
College of Cardinals, or rather like the old Polish nobility, to elect a
new one. It is the law that this Sultan of Aghadez must be a stranger.
When once chosen he is invested with something like absolute authority
throughout all Aheer, and he alone possesses the dreaded power of
"cutting off heads." En Noor has sent this morning what is called "the
present, of salutation," which he determined to despatch to
Abd-el-Kader, the new Sultan of Aghadez, instead of the immense gumruk
demanded. The present consists of one Egyptian mattrass; two white
turbans with red borders; a piece of white muslin for making light
turbans; two shasheeahs, or red caps; two small gilt-framed
looking-glasses; and a few beads of glass and earthen composition; one
pound of _jouee_, or perfume for burning; a small packet of _simbel_, an
aromatic herb used for washing the body; and two heads of white sugar.
This composed what may be called the official present for the district
of Tintalous. En-Noor added, from himself, two camels, a piece of silk
for a gown, and various other little things.
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