The Fezzanees who left Ghat nineteen days after us also say that before they started the news had arrived there that the Christians were all murdered by the people of Janet.  They add, besides, that they met Waldee at Tajetterat, together with the people of Janet, amounting to seventy maharees, all encamped there.  If true, probably these were the Tuaricks, with whom we were menaced at Taghajeet.  The people of Janet were in pursuit of us.  Waldee persuaded them to retrace their steps, declaring, which indeed was the truth, that the Christians were by that time arrived in the country of En-Noor, and were consequently beyond their pursuit.  The bandits hearing this, immediately returned.

The Fezzanees praise the exertions which Waldee made on our behalf.  Hereafter we shall be able, if we live, to verify this intelligence.  It seems doubtful that the people of Janet should be nine days too late for us.  However, our informants declare they gave the brigands victuals and a few presents.

I suppose that the grossly-exaggerated accounts which have been spread as to the vast sums that Hateetah and Wataitee got from us had much to do in getting up this fermentation in the desert of Ghat.  We knew already that all the tribes and sheikhs were jealous of our escort.  I must renew my application to Gagliuffi for the restitution of the property of the British Government; if not, the people who form the proposed razzia will divide it amongst themselves.

26th.—­En-Noor has sent me word this morning that I may make myself quite at home in his city, and have nothing whatsoever to fear.  Moreover, he begs to inform me that he has sent for our lost camels to the districts where they are supposed to be detained, with a peremptory order, that if they are not immediately given up they are to be seized by force, and if not found, other camels are to be confiscated instead of them.  This may be the first effect of the slaughter of the Tibboos.  It is quite clear, however, that En-Noor is bound in honour to recover for us our lost beasts of burden; their detention must otherwise disgrace his authority.

As soon as a Moor or an Arab gains a little money, he begins in the first place to buy a new wife.  The merchants, especially those who traverse the Sahara, have a wife and an establishment at all the principal cities.  When they have half-a-dozen of these establishments they are then great men.  Es-Sfaxee has gained a little money by our misfortunes, and he now begins to talk of buying a young slave for a wife, and what not, to attend him on the road.  But no sailor, who sails the waters of the world through and through, and has a lass at every port, manages matters so well as the travelling Moorish merchant.  This Moor has his comfortable home in every large city of the interior of Africa, and no one inquires whether he exceeds the number fixed by the law of the Prophet or not.  Indeed, no one knows how many wives he has, or where they are.