_Sept. 24th._--We had a good deal of wind yesterday, but no appearance
of rain. This morning was fine, clear, and warm; but just after noon a
sudden fall of rain came, followed, within five minutes, by a tempest of
thunder, lightning, rain, and hail, which broke immediately over our
heads, and carried away our small tents. Even my Bornou tent, having
been dried up by the recent weather, admitted the rain, and several of
our things were wetted. The tempest itself did not last more than
fifteen or twenty minutes; and by the time the moon rose in the evening,
all clouds had cleared away, and the heavens were as pure as in the
morning. I may observe that the rain is less disagreeable to me than the
clouds of sand-dust, with which we are at other times persecuted. The
fine particles cover and pervade everything, and getting between the
skin and the flannel, produce an irritation like the pricking of
needles.
This day Yusuf brought a message from En-Noor, to the effect that he had
heard from various people that I had brought a sword for him from the
Queen of England, and also a letter from Her Majesty. He added: "I trust
I have done nothing to offend the Consul or his companions; and I pray
that there may be nothing between us but good feeling and justice--no
lying, nothing but truth and fair dealing."
It now seemed to me that a good opportunity had arrived for introducing
the subject of the treaty; and I determined to make an effort, being
convinced, from recent transactions between En-Noor and his brother
chieftains, that he exerts paramount influence in Aheer; so that it may
be of considerable benefit to Christian travellers that a treaty of
amity and commerce should be signed by him.
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