23d.—­Before we started, another fellow came riding up from the rumoured troop of bandits, and demanded of our escort that they should give us into their hands.  Boro remembered his present, and expressed his gratitude by resenting this insolence with a perfect shower of abuse.

We advanced nine hours this day, looking behind us as we moved.  Our course lay through a rocky country, and two or three fine valleys, distinguished chiefly by the immense size of the tholukh-trees.  In the afternoon a large valley opened, amidst a mountainous region; after traversing which, we pitched tent in a small open space surrounded with hills, with a snug valley of hasheesh near at hand.

When we started in the morning, we bade the merchant Waldee adieu.  During the night he had received a courier from Mourzuk, and letters from the Consul and Mustapha Bey to recommend us to him.  Waldee said he would write us some letters, and send them after us.  He leaves his caravan at Taghajeet, and mounts his maharee for Mourzuk, where he expects to arrive in the course of fourteen days.

I wrote by him to Government, and to my wife.

In the evening, when it was nearly dusk, five mounted men made their appearance, two of them leading six empty camels.  We did not like the looks of them, but they gave a tolerable account of themselves.

I treated them to supper—­in fact, I am obliged to feed all strangers, as well as a good number of the caravan.  Of feeding these people, as of giving them presents, verily there is no end.  To travel comfortably in the desert, it would be necessary to possess Fortunatus’ purse or Aladdin’s lamp.

During the night these strange fellows disappeared, which circumstance naturally aroused our suspicions.  About two in the morning the Kailouees, wishing to start early, began to bustle about in the dark, in order to collect their camels.  They could not find any of them.  Great was the consternation.  The Tanelkums instantly ran to their drove, of which three only were missing, and ours also were found to be safe.  They have driven the camels off, in order to prevent our progress, and give time to the enemy to come up.

24th.—­We naturally passed the remainder of the night in the greatest anxiety of mind, feeling sure that a crisis was now approaching.  At about six in the morning, four men, mounted on maharees, came riding towards us, and drawing near, boldly summoned our escort to deliver up the Christians, with all their baggage and camels.  The insolence of this small body assured us that they had some force at hand; but we boldly told them to go about their business, as we were resolved to defend ourselves to the last.