There are, however, several drums of different sizes, and
producing various noises. They are made of wood and with bullocks' hide.
The women looloo as on the coast, and both men and women dance; not
exactly as the negroes do, but still somewhat indelicately. Hamma, who
commanded our escort, has returned from visiting his friends.
The Tanelkums report that Hamma is something like Achilles, for he has
often been wounded, having been in many battles, but none of his wounds
have ever proved fatal, or even much incommoded him.
It would seem that Tintalous, like all the Tuarick countries, is a
miserably poor place; for it is said that none, or very few, of the
people in the town have a fire for cooking their _bazeen_, except the
great En-Noor himself. The time, however, approaches for the departure
of the caravans for Zinder, whence they bring back a great quantity of
ghaseb and samen.
A Haghar, or Ghat Tuarick, I know not which, came into my tent this
morning and behaved insolently. Amongst other antics, he took up a gun.
I immediately wrested it out of his hands and sent him out of the tent.
Yusuf was present, but, as usual, showed little spirit.
My blacks were taken aback at my treating a Haghar in this cavalier way;
but I observe that they are now more cautious in permitting strangers to
enter my tent. The day before I turned a saucy Kailouee out, and my
servants begin to understand that I will not be pestered more with these
people, and so they keep them off.
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