Chap. XXVI. DEPART FROM GU'MMEL. 
173 
longer in this place, but rather to forego the company 
of my amiable friend, particularly as I knew that he 
was going to Miiniyo, and therefore, after a few days' 
march, would at all events separate from me. And I 
did well ; for my friend did not reach Kiikawa be- 
fore the middle of May, that is, six weeks after 
me. Such are the Arabs, and woe to him who relies 
upon them ! The same thing happened to me on my 
successful return from Bornu to the coast in 1855. 
Every body assured me that the caravan was to leave 
immediately : but I went on alone in May, and reached 
Tripoli in August, while the caravan did not reach 
Murzuk before March, 1856. 
I therefore sent to .Dan-Tanoma, begging him to 
furnish me with a horseman who would escort me to 
Mdshena, and he assented. It was a hazardous and 
troublesome undertaking : I had only one servant, 
faithful, but young, and who had never before tra- 
velled this road; besides a little boy, delicate in body 
and unsteady in mind, and I was sure that I myself 
should have to do half the work, as well in loading 
and unloading the camels as in pitching the tent, and 
looking after everything. 
Having taken a hearty leave of c Abd el Monday 
Khafif, I followed my camels and — my March 17th - 
good luck. This was the first time on my journey 
that I travelled quite alone, and I felt very happy, 
though, of course, I should have been glad to have 
had one or two good servants. 
The country on the east side of Gummel, at least 
