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CHAPTER XL 



HAJER-EL-HAMIS — THE PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE. 



(JA.NUARY 23-25.) 



Hajer-el-Hamis — the place of pilgrimage — is situated 

 on the south-eastern shore of Lake Chad, within a 

 day's journey from Mani. We had heard much of its 

 beauty and interest, and were determined to go there, 

 so the chief sent two boys to guide us. The march 

 was a long one, through flat sandy country, for we 

 were on the verge of the desert. In the afternoon 

 we saw a good deal of game, and when on one occasion 

 Mr Talbot had gone ofl" to hunt Senegal hartebeeste, 

 his wife, while waiting for him, sought cover in the 

 shelter of some bushes. Suddenly the glint of spears 

 arrested her attention, and as she watched — herself 

 unseen — she saw that their movements depended on 

 her husband's. When he v/alked forward their bearers 

 did the same, and when he turned they dropped down 

 in the long grass, but each time the distance between 

 them was lessened. 



It was a curious pursuit. Of course it was possible 

 they merely meant to share the excitement of the 

 sport, but why did they take such care to sink out 

 of Mr Talbot's sight ? Surely as huntsmen they would 



