94 
CHAP. LXXIIL 
ABORTIVE ATTEMPT AT DEPARTURE FROM TIMBTJKTU. 
I HAD been obliged to leave the town on the 17th of 
March, in consequence of the brothers of the Sheikh 
having deemed such a step essential for the security 
of the town, and advantageous to their own personal 
interest. Since that time my departure had been 
earnestly discussed almost daily, but nevertheless, 
amidst infinite delays and procrastinations, the 19 th 
of April had arrived before we at length set out from 
our encampment, situated at the head of the re- 
markable and highly indented creek of Bose-bdngo. 
Notwithstanding the importance of the day, my 
excellent friend the Sheikh El Bakdy could not 
even then overcome his habitual custom of taking- 
matters easy. He slept till a late hour in the morning, 
while his pupils were disputing with the owners of 
the camels which had been hired for the journey, and 
who would not stir. At length my friend got up, 
and our sluggish caravan left the encampment. There 
were, besides our own camels, a good many asses 
belonging to the Gwanin, and laden with cotton 
