we have a residence at Mourzuk itself, Mr. Richardson being obliged to
wait the arrival from Ghât of an escort of Tuarick chieftains, with whom
he had partly made acquaintance during a former trip in the desert. This
escort appeared after some delay; and the Mission proceeded across the
Fezzan plains to the independent state of Ghât, through a very wild and
picturesque country. At this point began, if not the most arduous, at
any rate the most dangerous, and at the same time the most novel, part
of the journey. Mr. Richardson had undertaken, on his way to Soudan
Proper (his first destination), to pass by the hitherto unexplored
kingdom of Aheer or Asben, situated towards the southern limits of the
Sahara. The march of the Mission across the deserts that lie between
Ghât and that territory was rendered exciting by continual reports of
danger from pursuing freebooters of the Haghar and Azgher tribes; but
the enemy were outstripped, and no actual attack took place until the
first inhabited districts of Aheer were reached. Here some lawless
tribes levied black-mail, on the caravan, which was then permitted to
proceed, though in doubt and alarm, until it arrived under the
long-expected protection of Sheikh En-Noor, one of the great chiefs of
the Kailouee tribes, at his town, or rather encampment, of Tintalous.
Mr. Richardson's residence at this place was long and tedious. He
suffered, besides, from the extortionate disposition of the Sheikh or
Sultan, who, however, after considerable exactions, became his friend.
This Saharan character is brought out by a succession of amusing
touches. But our traveller was impatient to proceed, and seems to have
hailed with delight the announcement that the great Salt-Caravan, which
annually transports the necessary condiment from Bilma _viâ_ Aheer to
the south, was about to start, and that the Sheikh and the Christians
were to accompany it. Some further disappointments occurred, but at
length the Mission proceeded to Damerghou, whence Drs. Barth and Overweg
went, one to Maradee and the other to Kanou, whilst Mr. Richardson