Chap. LXVII. INTRIGUES SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME. 461 
in this place, had in the afternoon of the 3rd October 
inundated my house, and, breaking through the wall 
of my store-room, had damaged the whole of my 
luggage, my books, and medicines, as well as my 
presents and articles of exchange. But my situa- 
tion was soon to improve, as the Sheikh became 
aware of the faithless and despicable character of my 
former companion and guide ; and while he ordered 
the latter to fetch my camels from A'ribmda, which it 
was now but too apparent he had sold on his own 
account instead of having them taken care of for me, 
he informed me of what had come to his knowledge 
of the Walati's previous character and disreputable 
habits. 
The Emir of Hamda-Allahi's sending a force to 
Timbuktu in order to dispose of me, with the assistance 
of the inhabitants of that town, without paying the 
slightest regard to the opinion of my protector, had 
caused a considerable reaction in the whole relation 
of the Sheikh to the towns-people, and he had made 
up his mind to pitch his camp outside the city, in 
order to convince the inhabitants, and the Fullan in 
particular, that he did not depend upon them, but 
had mightier friends and a more powerful spell upon 
which he could safely rely. He had even, while 
still absent in Giindam, opened communication with 
A'wab, the chief of the Tademekket, to this effect. 
But all these proceedings required more energy 
and a more warlike character than, I am sorry to say, 
my friend and protector actually possessed ; and our ad- 
