“12. Are the towns of Istúkah and Talent on the river Assah or Mésah, and if so, how far from Mésah or from each other?
“13. Does a place called Gueder or Port Hillsborough exist, or is it the river Reguela of Arlett’s chart?
“14. Is the river Nún also called the river Akása?
“15. Is the river Soleïman, or the river immediately to the southward, of Cape Nún, of any extent and where is its source? Is any town situated on it?
“16. Is there any large town between Istúkah and Nún?
“17. Can you give a tolerable estimate of the population of any of the places above-mentioned?
“19. You state Adrar to be fifty miles south of the position assigned in our maps. Is not Adrar the name of a range of mountains, not of a town?
“Pray excuse these detailed questions, but seeing the confusion in our maps, and knowing your zeal in the cause of geography, I venture to trouble you with them; let me recommend you, if possible to send duplicates of your information at every opportunity, for while travelling, in a wild and uncivilized country especially, it is difficult to ensure the safety of your papers.
“Mr. Renouard is well, and thanks Abú Bekr for his remembrances: he desires his kind regards to you and to him.
“Accept, dear Sir, our best and warmest wishes for your success; yet let me entreat you not to endanger unnecessarily your life even with the hope of accomplishing your journey to Tumbúktú; for however desirable it may be to reach that place, it is not worth risking life to obtain it.