The Tanelkums, by the way, left us yesterday evening.  They all return in the course of fifteen days; some of them go on to Zinder, and others make their way back to Mourzuk.  Haj Omer quarrelled desperately with Yusuf before he started.

I may here make a few observations on these curious people.  Generally, the Tanelkums are reckoned amongst the most effeminate and civilised of the Tuaricks of the north; and, indeed, such appears to be their character, as developed in our transactions with them.  Some of them have more the manners of merchants than camel-drivers; and the mercantile character always tames men in the desert.  Throughout their journey with us they were at all times polite, and at last even became quite amiable.  During the two affairs which we had with the robbers, their conduct was regular and brave:  once or twice only they seemed to waver.  But probably, had their own interests been imminently exposed, they would have abandoned us to save themselves, at which we should not have been surprised.  Had there been a regular battle, in which they had taken part, the road would certainly have been closed to them ever afterwards.

Like all Tuaricks, these Tanelkums are great beggars, and such of them as were with us allowed no opportunity to escape of getting something out of us.  They are always accompanied by a few Haghars or Azghers.  In features they are for the most part European; a few only are marked by negro characters; but nearly all are very dark in complexion.  They are generally good-looking, tall, and slightly made.  Their manners are quite Tuarick, and they speak a regular Tuarick dialect.  They also speak a little Arabic, and understand the Hausa.  As to religion, they are very devout and superstitious, and remain long at their prayers.

The huckster-women of the town continue to visit us, bringing their small wares.  Many of them have their faces painted very picturesquely with green and yellow.  They are mere negroes in features.  These women bring very small quantities of the dark-brown rice of Soudan, with ghaseb, onions, and other little things.

I find that our servants are to-day in better spirits, because we have got a supply of provisions.  I repeat again, that the Germans and myself enjoy tolerably good health, but none of us can be said to be in a state of robust bodily vigour.

This portion of the landscape of Aheer, if I may use the term landscape, does not differ materially from the first which we entered.  The rocks are all granite, and of one colour.

The greater part of the trees are tholukh and souak.  The hasheesh consists chiefly of the bou rekabah.

In the valley I observe a fine old specimen of the Soudan tree, called, in Bornouese, k[)a]raghou.  The little black-and-white bird which has followed us all through the desert from Mourzuk still appears here, and sings a little.