59 
CFIAP. LXXIL 
GREAT CRISIS. OBLIGED TO LEAVE THE TOWN. — MILITARY 
DEMONSTRATION. 
There was now a fair opportunity offered me of 
leaving the town in an honourable way, under the 
protection of the friendly Kel-iilli, who for this very 
purpose had brought with them from the encamp- 
ment my four camels; but the Sheikh missed this 
favourable occasion, by relying too much upon the 
promised arrival of the great Tawarek chief Alkiit- 
tabu. As for our friends the Tademekket, to whom 
A'hmed Wadawi, the learned follower of the Sheikh, 
had been sent as a messenger, they did not come along 
with him, but sent word that they would follow 
him as soon as their presence was required ; their 
chief A'wdb having gone to raise tribute from the 
degraded tribe of the Idelebo. 
Uncertain as my situation was under these cir- 
cumstances, I felt cheered by the not very impro- 
bable chance of my departure ; for at length the 
last cause which had delayed me so long seemed 
to be removed, by El Bakay's wife giving birth to 
a child on the 4th of March. All political as well as 
