114 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XXV. 
been sent me during my stay in the town. I was there- 
fore most agreeably surprised when, on the morning 
of the 2nd of March, old Elaiji came and announced to 
me that, in consequence of his urgent remonstrances, 
the governor had sent me a present of sixty thousand 
kurdi. He told me, with a sort of pride, that he had 
severely reprimanded him, assuring him that he was 
the only prince who had not honoured me. I should 
have been better pleased if the governor had sent me 
a pair of camels or a horse ; but I was thankful for 
this unexpected supply ; and giving six thousand to 
the officer who had brought the money, and as much 
to Elaiji, and dividing eight thousand between Bawu 
and Sidi f Ali, I kept forty thousand for myself. 
With this present I was fortunately enabled to buy 
two camels instead of sumpter oxen, which give great 
trouble on the road during the dry season, especially 
if not properly attended to, and prepared everything 
for my journey ; but the people in these countries are 
all cowards, and as I was to go alone without a cara- 
van, I was unable to find a good servant. Thus I 
had only my faithful Tebu lad Mohammed whom 
I could rely upon, having besides him none but a 
debauched young Fezzani, Makhmud, who had long 
lived in this town, and a youth named 'Abd-Alla. 
Nevertheless I felt not a moment's hesitation, but, on 
the contrary, impatiently awaited the moment when I 
should leave my dingy and melancholy quarters, full 
of mice and vermin. 
I had hoped to get off on the 6th ; but nothing was 
