frontier of Aheer we were pursued for several days, like monsters not
fit to live, by armed bands, this appears to me extraordinary
condescension on the part of En-Noor. I hope we shall part in a friendly
manner. This worthy sovereign gives the present Sultan of Sakkatou, Ali
Bello, the character of a miser, but says that his father was a man of
liberality. He cannot exceed En-Noor himself in greediness.

The bad state of the Bornou route is accounted for by the desire the
Kailouees have to render it unsafe, so that they may have all the
caravans come along their own route. The same thing is said of the
Timbuctoo route from Soudan. The Haghar murder all who attempt to go
from Soudan to Timbuctoo, in order that the caravans may pass Ghât and
Tuat. This is called the natural explanation of the bad character of
these routes.

_6th._--I continue to record the few characteristic incidents of my
residence at Tintalous. Our bullock has been at last killed. We could
not catch him, but shot him down. The carcase was divided between no
less than twenty persons, and the meat proved to be pretty good. Of my
share I made steaks, which I washed down with some tea and rum. This is
the first time we have had fresh beef since leaving Tripoli. The event
created an immense sensation throughout the whole town of Tintalous, for
the slaughter of a bullock does not take place there every day.

This morning I administered two ounces of Epsom salts to a good-natured
Kailouee, who, although perfectly well, would persist in begging for
medicine. These people are continually asking to be doctored when
nothing ails them. En-Noor seems to have taken a fancy to our morning
beverages, and has sent for tea and coffee. I am afraid he will become a
regular customer. Yusuf carried off a bottle of rum from the tent in the