Little reliance, however, can be placed on these
professions, until we know something more of the character of
Abd-el-Kader. It is certainly a great disappointment for us that we do
not go to Aghadez. I am afraid that this will be the case with many
other important cities.
The Es-Sfaxee wished to have a feast to celebrate the arrival of this
good news, but I cannot join in such a demonstration. We have little
cause for rejoicing at the conduct of the people of Aheer. En-Noor has
not yet sent us a sah of ghaseb; or a drop of samen or a sheep's head.
Never did travellers visit a country in Africa, without receiving some
mark of hospitality of this kind from the chief or sovereign of the
place.
In the evening a fellow came and asked us if we could sell him a veneese
(a dressing-gown) in exchange for ghaseb. After some trouble we fixed
the bargain. Said was fool enough to give him the veneese before he
brought the merchandise, the fellow promising to bring it the next
morning. During the night he fled with his booty on the road to Aghadez.
Amankee went in pursuit of the fugitive, seized him on the road, and
brought back the veneese: for such matters there is no one equal to
Amankee.
_20th._--Denham compares the berries of the _suak_ (suag) to
cranberries. _Zumeeta_ is called parched corn; it should be parched
ground corn. Gafouley is called guinea-corn. The green herb with which
_bazeen_ is generally seasoned is called _melocheea_ (ochra).
Pages:
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323