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Updated: May 31, 2025
The next morning there was a general meeting of the Sheikhs and people of the town in our apartments; and from the turn affairs began to take, we found it necessary to despatch a courier to Aroukeen, to beg the Tanelkums to wait a few days for us at that place. During the meeting began the first prevarication of the Tuaricks.
I found that the Germans and the Tanelkums had gone on in advance some days, but not so fast that we could not hope to overtake them. The hurry and bustle attendant on the preparations for starting has rendered me rather indisposed; I was quite unwell on the 27th. Next day, however, I could receive Hateetah and the son of Shafou, and have a civil row with them.
My first plan was, to proceed by the direct route to Aroukeen with the Germans and the Tanelkums, and from this place make an indispensable expedition to Ghât. But circumstances compel me to march direct to that place by the common road. Our escort is to cost us dear, but it will ensure our safety.
Generally, the Tanelkums are reckoned amongst the most effeminate and civilised of the Tuaricks of the north; and, indeed, such appears to be their character, as developed in our transactions with them. Some of them have more the manners of merchants than camel-drivers; and the mercantile character always tames men in the desert.
I sent off my Soudanese servant this morning to the Tanelkums, to ask them to wait for us; or at least leave the things behind which I require for our use. They saluted the pale crescent horn with some discharges of their guns. To-day is a great feast, but they have not the means of keeping it. I cannot say that at this portion of my journey my mind is visited by much cheerfulness.
Our people have dug a well, which the Tanelkums promise to call "Bir Engleez," the English Well. Good water was found easily, near the surface at this station. 4th. We started late, and made only a short day; but herbage for the camels is only found hereabouts. Our course was, as usual, south-west over an undulating plateau, with an horizon now near, now distant.
They brought the news that the Tanelkums were a day only in advance, having halted to take up water at Aroukeen, where they dug again the old well which had been blocked with stones. This caravan informed us, besides, that the body of the large caravan was resting at the well of Tajetterat. They had seen no Tuaricks. We begin to hope that we have been disturbed by false alarms.
The newcomers were known to some of our people, the Tanelkums, and soon scraped acquaintance with us. They paid a visit to my tent, and I gave them a number of little things, with which they were very much gratified. There was reason, then, to hope that our first impressions of security were well-founded, and I began writing my journal as if we had really arrived in a land of peace.
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.
Promises of the Sultan Yellow-painted Women Presents Anecdotes Prepare to visit En-Noor Our Reception Dialogue Seeming Liberality of the Sultan Greediness of his People No Provisions to be got Fat Women Nephew of the Sultan Tanelkum Beggars Weather A Divorced Lady Aheer Money Our Camels again stolen Account of the Tanelkums Huckster Women Aheer Landscape Various Causes of Annoyance No News of the Camels Anecdote of my Servants Storms Revolution in the Desert Name of the Country Dr.
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