“You can ride to-morrow to Beni Sultan, and eat ‘kus-kus’ there; thence you can go on to Tujan, sleep there, and next day ride straight to Medinin.”
“But I was informed at Gabés that I could not ride a horse over the mountain on account of the road being rough and impracticable.”
“You shall have a mule which will carry you anywhere.”
“But my horse and my Spahi’s horse, what shall I do with them?”
“I will take them to Gabés with greetings from you,” said the Sheikh of Tujan. “I am just about to travel there to confer with the Khalifa, and so must also the Sheikh of Beni Sultan.”
“That is all very well, but I shall not see anything of yourselves.”
“No, unfortunately we are compelled to be away, as the Khalifa has summoned us; but the men in our villages will receive you well, and be pleased at your visit.”
I could but consent, and thank them for their invitation.
The Sheikh of Beni Sultan was a proud, generous man, who was said to be very wealthy.
Tujan is under the Khalifa of Gabés. This official had sent his friend, the Khalifa of Hadeij, a fine bull and five goats as an offering towards the feast.