398 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXV. 
Morocco, but who has become so Sudanised that he has 
forgotten all his former knowledge of Arabic. On 
account of the cattle being driven to a great distance, 
I found that milk was very scarce and dear. The in 
habitants cultivate a little rice, but have some cotton, 
besides bamia, or Corchorus olitorius, and melons of 
various descriptions. 
Having returned to my quarters from my walk 
through the town, I had to distribute several presents 
to some people whom El Walati chose to represent as 
his brothers and friends.. Having then given to him- 
self a new, glittering, black tobe of Niipe manufacture, 
a new "haf," and the white bernus. which I wore my- 
self, I at length prevailed upon him to set out for the 
town, in order to obtain protection for me ; for as yet 
I was an outlaw in the country, and any ruffian who 
suspected my character might have slain me, without 
scarcely anybody caring anything about it ; and cir- 
cumstances seemed to assume a very unfavourable 
aspect : for there was a great movement among the 
Tawarek in the neighbourhood, when it almost seemed 
as if some news of my real character had transpired. 
Not long after my two messengers were gone, a 
Tarki chief, of the name of Kneha, with tall and 
stately figure, and of noble expressive features, as 
far as his shawl around the face allowed them to be 
seen, but, like the whole tribe of the Kel-hekikan to 
which he belongs, bearing a very bad character as 
a freebooter, made his appearance, armed with spear 
and sword, and obtruded himself upon me while I was 
