The weather is very pleasant for the study of languages, but the days
are too short and the nights are too long. Nevertheless, I sleep nearly
all night this cold weather.

_13th._--Thermometer at sunrise in the open air was 41° 30' Fahr., so
that the cold increases, this being the lowest which I have yet taken.
The Germans have had a deal of trouble with Mohammed of Tunis; they
would send him back, but there is no opportunity of doing so.

Máguzáwa and Azna are the names of the pagan nations of Soudan, denoting
the same people, and not different races. The names answer to the word
_Kurdi_, in Bornou. These pagans say, in derision of the Muslims, when
it rains, "Allah must have a large belly," that so much water falls from
him.

En-Noor describes pagans of Maradee drinking large quantities of _gia_
(beer, or fermented liquor).

This evening a Gadamsee arrived at the tents, bringing two or three
slaves from Damerghou. He says the news of our arrival had already
reached Damerghou--that it was reported there that the Sultan of Aghadez
had given Barth a black tobe; not, by any means, a bad rumour. He sends
his slaves to Ghât from this place, and returns immediately to
Damerghou, taking letters for us to Zinder.




CHAPTER VI.