HORNEMAN. 113 



Abiatl, the main stream of the Egyptian Nile. Prevalent 

 as this belief is among the Arabs, late discoveries have 

 proved it to be entirely erroneous ; the river or rivers which 

 water Houssa being wholly distinct from that great stream 

 which flows through Bambarra and Timbuctoo. 



Horneman, after remaining some tune at Mourzoulc, had 

 resolved to join a caravan which was about to proceed south- 

 Wards into the interior ; when, observing that the cavalcade 

 consisted ahnost wholly of black traders, any connexion or 

 intercourse with whom was likely to afford him little favour 

 in the eyes of the Moors, he was induced to forego this pur- 

 pose, — more especially as there was the greatest reason to 

 apprehend obstruction in passing through the country of 

 the Tuaricks, who were then at war with Fezzan. He was 

 informed, besides, that caravans from Bomou occasionally 

 terminated their journey at Mourzouk, again returning 

 south ; by which, at a future period and under more propi^ 

 tious circumstances, he hoped to have an opportunity of 

 accomplishing his object. These considerations determined 

 him to postpone his departure into the interior, resolving in 

 the mean while, with the view of forwarding his despatches 

 to the Association, to visit Tripoli ; where, however, he did 

 not arrive till the 19th August, 1799, having been detained 

 a considerable time by sickness. After remainmg in this 

 city about three months, he again returned to Mourzouk ; 

 nor was it till the 6th April, 1800, that he departed thence 

 for the southward, in company with two shereefs, or de- 

 scendants of Mohammed, who had given him assurances of 

 friendship and protection. His letters were filled with the 

 most sanguine hopes of success. But the lapse of two 

 years without any tidings threw a damp on the cheering 

 expectations thus raised in the Association and the public. 

 In September, 1803, a Fezzan merchant informed Mr. Nis- 

 sen, the Danish consul at Tripoli, that Yussuph, as Horne- 

 man had chosen to designate himself, was seen alive and 

 well on his way to Gondasch, with the intention of pro- 

 ceeding to the coast and of returning to Europe. Another 

 Moorish merchant afterward informed Mr. M'Donough, 

 British consul at Tripoli, that Yussuph was in safety at 

 Kashna in June, 1803, and was there highly respected as a 

 Mussulnian marabout or saint. Major Denham afterward 

 Jeamed that he had penetrated acrgss Africa as far as Nyffo 

 K3 



