Chap. LXVII. ORDERS FROM HAMDA ALLA'hL 459 
whose authority, he was vehemently opposed), that 
I should be forthwith driven out of the town or 
slain, roused his spirit of opposition. He felt, too, 
that the difficulties of my leaving this place in safety 
were thus greatly augmented. All thoughts of my 
immediate departure were therefore set aside ; partly, 
no doubt, from regard to my security, but much more 
from an anxious desire to show the Fullan, or Fiilbe, 
that he was able to keep me here, notwithstanding their 
hostile disposition and their endeavours to the con- 
trary. There were, besides, the intrigues of the Waiati, 
my guide on the journey from Yagha, who, finding that 
the Sheikh did not approve of his dishonest conduct 
towards me, endeavoured to get me out of his hands, 
in order that he might deal with me as he liked. 
My broker, too, e AH el A'geren, seeing the difficulties 
of my situation, gave me entirely up, making his own 
safety the only object of his thoughts. 
The Sheikh, when he had fully understood what 
I had told him with regard to the power and the poli- 
tical principles of the sovereign of Great Britain, had 
determined to write a letter with his own hand, ex- 
pressing his satisfaction that I had come to pay him 
my compliments, and in order to endeavour to coun- 
teract the discouraging effects produced by the ac- 
count of Major Laing's death, and, if possible, to 
obtain for himself a few presents. This letter, it 
was understood in the beginning, I myself should 
take with me ; but, in the evening of the third of 
October, I suddenly, to my great amazement, re- 
