Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2 | Page 6

out of the tent he himself carried all these articles away under his arm.
With reference to our wish to start for Zinder, the Sultan says he will
send immediately for the boat, that it may be ready by the time Dr.
Barth returns from Aghadez, when he is determined himself to take that
route. He seems now in the enjoyment of good health. I felt much
satisfied with his visit. Certainly, when I reflect that in the northern
frontier of Aheer we were pursued for several days, like monsters not
fit to live, by armed bands, this appears to me extraordinary
condescension on the part of En-Noor. I hope we shall part in a friendly
manner. This worthy sovereign gives the present Sultan of Sakkatou,
Ali Bello, the character of a miser, but says that his father was a man of
liberality. He cannot exceed En-Noor himself in greediness.
The bad state of the Bornou route is accounted for by the desire the
Kailouees have to render it unsafe, so that they may have all the
caravans come along their own route. The same thing is said of the
Timbuctoo route from Soudan. The Haghar murder all who attempt to
go from Soudan to Timbuctoo, in order that the caravans may pass
Ghât and Tuat. This is called the natural explanation of the bad
character of these routes.
6th.--I continue to record the few characteristic incidents of my
residence at Tintalous. Our bullock has been at last killed. We could
not catch him, but shot him down. The carcase was divided between no
less than twenty persons, and the meat proved to be pretty good. Of my
share I made steaks, which I washed down with some tea and rum. This
is the first time we have had fresh beef since leaving Tripoli. The event
created an immense sensation throughout the whole town of Tintalous,

for the slaughter of a bullock does not take place there every day.
This morning I administered two ounces of Epsom salts to a
good-natured Kailouee, who, although perfectly well, would persist in
begging for medicine. These people are continually asking to be
doctored when nothing ails them. En-Noor seems to have taken a fancy
to our morning beverages, and has sent for tea and coffee. I am afraid
he will become a regular customer. Yusuf carried off a bottle of rum
from the tent in the evening, which occasioned a disturbance between
the servants and myself. This worthy is not to be trusted with the care
of any strong liquor. The little Hamadee was privy to the theft. In the
course of the evening the new moon was seen by seven creditable
persons, so that in eight days more we shall have the Feast of the
"Descent of the Koran from Heaven," and four or five days after that
we hope to start for Zinder.
7th.--This was a fine morning, with the thermometer at sunrise in the
tent 70°; outside, 66°. The water has been so cooled during the night
that my hands ached when I washed them. Later in the season it will be
yet colder; and all reports tell us that in Kanou after the rains it is often
very chilly.
His highness the Sultan again was attracted by my tea and marmalade,
and gave me a call. He desired to see once more the portrait of
Clapperton, and told me that Abdallah had five women in Sakkatou,
and had left behind him three children, all boys. The Sultan was
excessively friendly in manner, which induced me to make him another
little present of a ring set with paste, and a small pair of gilt scissors for
one of his wives. He calls me his brother, and manifests increased
anxiety to be friendly with the English. According to him, a short time
since the Sheikh of El-Fadeea, who commanded the attack made on us
at the frontier, came here; and, in consideration of a few presents and
compliments, had promised to exert himself to procure the restoration
of our lost or stolen camels. En-Noor also again talked about the boat. I
am in great hopes that we shall part from him on good terms, and that
he will be true to his protestations. There is generally a companion with
the old gentleman on these visits. This time it was an aged Tanelkum,

who married a sister of the Sheikh and has been settled many years in
the country. We gave him more tea, and also a piece of white sugar, to
carry home.
This evening the Fezzan and Tripoli Arabs had a musical entertainment,
accompanied with dancing, at which Madame En-Noor and several
distinguished ladies of Tintalous assisted. It was the usual singing
business, with Moorish hammering on tambourines. The dance was
performed