En-Noor related a pretty anecdote of himself and his younger days in our tent to-day. After saying, that formerly the Asbenouee people were the only folks considered bad in these parts, he observed, that now he himself and the Asbenouee were certainly much improved in their manners and dispositions; "for," added he, "there were once four fighis (charm-writers) who employed people to speak against me, and bring me into disrepute. What did I do? I called them to me, gave them fine presents of burnouses and a great supper, with an apartment in which to pass the night. But when they were fast asleep I dug a large hole, fetched them all out of the room, killed them, and covered them up in the hole. Now, however," continued his highness, "we do not go so far as this, but content ourselves with taking away an enemy's camels."
15th.—Weather cold this morning. Thermometer at sunrise, 43°. I hang the thermometer on the tent-ropes, just outside, at about a foot from the ground.
Hamma (son-in-law of En-Noor) returned this morning from the salt-caravan. He marked on the sand that the caravan would be thirty-five days before it returned; so, I imagine, we have still from this time some thirty days to wait here. He left the caravan on its entering the Hamadah, between this and Bilma.
Towns and Villages of Tesaoua.
(From Amankee's relation.)
- Tesaoua: people 1400; residence of the governor. Two large wells and one small one.
- Harmaua: 500. A little water.
- Ungua Korna: 400. One well, much water.
- Haidaua: 500. One well, and much water.
- Nuwala: 500 or 600. No water; but only half an hour from Haidaua.
- Nachira: 800, scattered about in small groups. Much water.
- Ungua-guka: 500. One well.
- Ungua-tallai: 400. Much water.
- Gindaua: 1000. Large wells; few trees.
- Saulawa: 40 or 50.
The capital and nearly all this country is full of trees. Not a stone is to be seen, and the soil is sandy.
The Sultan, or Governor of Tesaoua, is subject to the sovereign of Maradee, who is the only independent black prince in this part of Africa. The inhabitants are mixed, pagans and Muslims, but these last are not bigoted.
En-Noor visited us this evening, and I asked him if he recollected earthquakes in this country. The old Sheikh emphatically replied, Babo, "There are none."