CHAPTER I.

Description of Tintalous and its Environs--Palace and
Huts--Bedsteads--Kailouee Race--Unhandsome Conduct of Mr.
Gagliuffi--Proposed Journey to Aghadez--Dr. Barth starts--An obstinate
Bullock--Present extraordinary--State of Zinder--Affability of the
Sultan--Power of Charms--Scorpions--Dialogue with a Ghâtee--Splendid
Meteors--Visit from En-Noor--Intrigues of the Fellatahs--A Sultan loaded
with Presents--Talk of departing for Zinder--State of the Bornou
Road--Division of a Bullock--Bottle of Rum stolen--More Visits from the
Sultan--A Musical Entertainment--Curious Etymological Discussions--A
wonderful Prophetess--Secret Societies--Magicians--The Evil
Eye--Morality of Soudan--Magnificent Meteor--Stories of the Sfaxee.


I begin at length to consider myself as it were at home in this singular
country of Aheer--without, however, experiencing any desire to dally
here longer than the force of circumstances absolutely requires. It must
be confessed, as I have already hinted, that the town of Tintalous,[1]
in front of which we are encamped, does not at all answer the idea which
our too active imagination had formed. Yet it is a singular place. It is
situated on rocky ground, at the bend of a broad valley, which in the
rainy season becomes often-times the bed of a temporary river. Here and
there around it are scattered numerous trees, many of considerable size,
giving the surface of the valley something of a park-like appearance.
The herbage is not rich, but it is ornamental, and refreshes the eye in
contrast with the black, naked rocks, which rise on all hands to the
height often of two or three thousand feet. To the east, it is true, the
country is a little open; and between the mountains run in numerous
white sandy wadys, sprinkled with fresh green plants, or shaded by