A strange thing is a devoted slave. Zangheema is the devoted slave of
En-Noor. He is his right hand, his man of business, his vizier, his
shadow, his second self. Alternately Zangheema attends the marts of
Mourzuk and Kanou; and, fortunately for us, he is now going to Kanou.
_25th._--Whilst we were occupied in drying our clothes after the
previous day's tempest, we learned that another Sultan had put himself
on the list of beggars. His Excellency Astakeelee of Asoudee has written
a long letter to En-Noor, of which we are the subject. The substance is
that it is a sin (haram) to plunder us Christians. En-Noor says we must
send him some trifle as a present. There remain yet to come Lousou and
some others. I am glad we are not expected to give much in these cases,
as our means would not allow us to do so. I sent to Astakeelee a red
cloth caftan or long loose gown, a white turban, a fez, a small
looking-glass, and a few cloves for the Sultana, the total value about
twelve dollars.
Serious news has just come in from the northern frontier. It appears
that the Azgher who followed us all the way from Aisou to Aheer,
secretly exciting the people against us, have joined with the Kailouee
borderers in an attack upon a small Tibboo caravan. Two of the merchants
have been killed, and thirty-five slaves stolen and carried away over
the desert, in the direction of Tuat.
This news was brought in the afternoon by a caravan of Fezzanees, who
have arrived from Ghat.
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