Chap. LXIV. VARIOUS PERFORMANCES. 
375 
rainy season, the quantity of rain which falls in dif- 
ferent countries, and the tropical regions especially*, 
I felt myself obliged to say before them the "fat-ha," 
or opening prayer of the Kuran ; and, to their great 
amusement and delight, concluded the Arabic prayer 
with a form in their own language, — " Alia hokki 
ndiam," — which, although meaning originally " God 
may give water," has become quite a complimentary 
phrase, so that the original meaning has been almost 
lost, few people only being conscious of it. It so hap- 
pened that the ensuing night a heavy thunder-storm 
gathered from the east, bringing a considerable quan- 
tity of rain, which even found its way into my badly 
thatched hut. This apparent efficacy of my prayer 
induced the inhabitants to return the following day, 
to solicit from me a repetition of my performance ; but 
I succeeded in evading their request by exhorting 
them to patience. But, on the other hand, I was 
obliged, in addition to a strong dose of emetic, to 
give the governor my btassing, as he was going to 
the capital, and was rather afraid of his liege lord 
the young prince A'hmedu, while at the same time 
his overbearing neighbours the Tawarek inspired 
him with a great deal of fear. In the sequel, he 
was very well received in the capital, and therefore 
could not complain of the inefficacy of my inspiration ; 
but nevertheless, not having had the slightest suspicion 
* On this occasion I learned from the Haj of Tisit, who was pre- 
sent, that in his desert town there are in general three falls of rain 
every year. 
B b 4 
