have brought with us letters of recommendation for robbers than such people.  All this comes after it had been noised abroad through the whole village that En-Noor was greatly rejoiced at the present, and all the people were happy and content.  Such, however, is the dependence to be placed on reports in the African kingdom of Aheer!  However, I am determined to give way to no more vain fears, but to preserve as much as possible of the property of Government.  I am sorry to say that I receive no assistance in my efforts to save the money with which I have been entrusted.

I am now writing to Mr. Gagliuffi on the subject of the great losses and shameless extortion to which we were subjected on our arrival in this country.  In reviewing the whole affair, setting apart the personal devotion exhibited towards myself, I have no cause to be pleased with our escort and servants.  They gave way too easily to fear, and, seem to have been too willing to allow us to buy ourselves off.  I have omitted to mention that they wished us to write a document, to the effect that if we came to harm it was not through their fault!  This singular idea was, of course, rejected.  I must observe, that not only we, but all our caravan, were prodigiously disappointed by the reception we met with.  The Haghars were expected to be troublesome, and their alleged pursuit of us was sufficiently probable; but no one admitted that there was any danger from the people of Aheer.  On the contrary, all professed delight at the prospect of entering the inhabited districts, where it was thought and boldly proclaimed we should all have the most cordial welcome.  Yet the Haghars did not come, and the borderers of Aheer treated us as badly as the wildest Tuaricks could have done, behaving like veritable brigands.  I entertain some faint hopes of obtaining redress; but have been so often deceived, that I shall say nothing for the present on the subject.

Friday, 13th Sept.—­I rose early; a fine morning.  Thermometer at a quarter to seven P.M. under tent, 78 deg..  We had a visit early from the son-in-law of En-Noor and his two friends, who had found the camels.  They were extremely polite, and much pleased when I sent them to the Sfaxee to receive forty metagals for the recovery of the four lost camels (one is not yet come up).  Then I had a visit from one of the slaves of En-Noor’s brother.  This man gave a good account of En-Noor, and said he would certainly go with us.  He observed, also, respecting the Sultan’s authority, “En-Noor governs everywhere—­all Aheer, and even Damerghou and Zinder.”  This must be taken to signify, En-Noor has great influence in all these countries.

Asoudee is said by some to be a city, walled, and of considerable extent, with many people; others represent it as being in ruins.  I think its ruins are mentioned in my Ghadamez itinerary.  Unlike Tintalous, a great quantity of provisions is stored up in that place.

Yusuf and the Sfaxee came this morning from En-Noor, and brought more tranquillising news; but we have been obliged to give ten douros each for finding the lost camels—­almost as much as my white maharee is worth.  However, I remained in tolerably good spirits all day, cheered by the favourable account given me of the Sultan.  But woe to the man who hugs himself in a feeling of security in Aheer!