Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2 | Page 8

very considerable numbers, I
exclaimed, "What a host of young turkeys you have got!" On this he
became quite alarmed, lest I had cast a malign look upon them, and
ejaculated a counter-exclamation, "Oh, God bless them!"
The Sfaxee and Yusuf do not speak very favourably of some parts of
Soudan as to morality. In some districts of Begarmi, Yusuf says, a male
takes the first female he meets with, no matter how near the
relationship. All the women, in fact, are in common. We must receive
his asseverations for what they are worth, on this subject in general,
and on the developements into which he entered. According to him, in
those regions where scarcely any other roof is required but the heavens,
there is no other couch spread than the earth, and no one shuns, in any
act of life, the eyes of his neighbours.
Whilst these wonders of witches and tales of African lewdness were
being related, a thing happened which none could disbelieve, none call
in question. This was the appearance of an immense meteor in the sky,
shooting over half the heavens, with a slight curve, from east to west. It
had a tail like a comet, and around its head burnt a blue light of
excessive brilliancy. This phenomenon appeared at a quarter to eight
o'clock in the evening. I never saw anything like it before, and perhaps
shall never again see its equal. It might have been visible two minutes.
We all cried out with surprise at beholding it. We had our faces towards
the south, and the course of the meteor was across the south, but not
very high, at about the third of the circle of the heavens. Afterwards,
every few minutes, small meteors were seen sporting about in the same
direction, some in a straight line and others descending.

9th.--The wind of this fine cool morning prevented a visit from
En-Noor. That he might not be disappointed, however, I sent him his
customary tea; and amused myself by hearing the Sfaxee discourse of
that constant subject of conversation, the attack of the Fadeea.
According to him, on that occasion great fear was felt by all the
caravan. Most of our servants had formed the resolution to abandon us.
There were, however, some honourable exceptions; amongst the rest,
Saïd, the great mahadee, and another. Yusuf and Mohammed Tunisee
proposed the plan, that we three, the Germans, and myself, should be
mounted on maharees, and either conveyed back to Aisou or forward to
Tintaghoda, during the night. Some of the Kailouees wavered, as well
as the Tanelkums; but En-Noor (of our escort) always declared that he
would never consent to our being given up. The next morning, two or
three of the assailants were very bold, and came and called out in an
authoritative tone, that we must be given up. It is curious that, in spite
of all the force that was mustered against us, as soon as they saw that
we were determined to resist them, they immediately began to parley.
The Sfaxee is an immense talker, and great allowance must be made for
what he says. In reality, we shall never be able to know the exact truth
with respect to this affair. Dr. Overweg confesses that he was terribly
alarmed as well he might be. For my part, I was more used to desert
dangers, and slept all night. Dr. Barth very kindly refused to allow
anybody to awaken me.
CHAPTER II.
Muslim want of Curiosity--Gossip on Meteors--A Family
Broil--Rationale of Wife-beating--Abominable Dances--Evil
Communications--Dr. Overweg--Kailouee Vocabulary--Windy
Day--Account of Wadaï--Madame En-Noor--Profits of
Commerce--The letter Ghain--Fellatah Language--Introduction of
Islamism--Desert Routes--Trade in Agate Stones--A lively Patient--The
Eed--A Visit en masse--Arrival of the Boat--Butchers--Exchange of
Visits with the Sultan--Diet--A Shereef--A delicate
Request--Information on Maradee--Tesaoua--Itinerant
Schoolmasters--En-Noor's Territory in Damerghou--Unpleasant
Communication--Amulets--The Foundation of a City in the

Desert--En-Noor's Political Pretensions.
Oct. 10th.--My garrulous friend the Sfaxee has gone off this morning,
to bring his merchandise from Tintaghoda. The little fighi came, as
usual, to see me. I showed him the Arabic New Testament. He read a
few sentences, and then laid the book aside. I offered it to him, but he
refused to accept the inestimable present. He represents the feelings of
all the Muslims of these countries. They have not even any curiosity to
know the contents of the Gospel, much less the inclination to study or
appreciate them. They remain in a state of immovable, absolute
indifference. Even the beautiful manner in which the Arabic letters are
printed scarcely excites their surprise. En-Noor paid me his usual
morning visit, drank tea, and ate pickles and marmalade. We asked him
about meteors. He recollects the fall of many. One, he says, fell upon a
house, and terrified the inhabitants, who came running to him.
Afterwards they