108 
TEAVELS IN AFHICA. Chap. LXXIII. 
many hundred miles in the midst of these hostile 
tribes, were killed much lower down. 
The people have plenty of asses, and a sword-blade 
of the commonest German or Solingen manufacture 
fetches every where two of these animals, which are 
sold for at least 6000 shells each in the town. But 
the more conscientious Arabs do not trade with the 
Tawarek, whose property they well know, for the 
greatest part, to be " hardm," or forbidden, because 
taken by violent means. 
It had been announced that we were to start in the' 
afternoon, but there was no reason for hurrying our 
departure, and we quietly encamped here for the 
night, when we were visited by a great number of the 
Welad Moluk, whose encampment was at no great 
distance from ours. They were short, thick-set men, 
with fair complexions, and expressive prepossessing 
features, but some of them were suffering dread- 
fully from a disgusting disease, which they attributed 
to the bad quality of the water. One or two of 
them, at least, had their nose and part of their face 
entirely eaten away by cancers, and formed altogether 
a horrible spectacle. 
Much more agreeable was a visit which I received 
from the Tawdrek chief, Sdul, the leader of the Kel- 
TamuMit, a very stately personage, who remained the 
greater part of the night with us, engaged in ani- 
mated conversation with the Sheikh. The following 
morning, while we were arranging our luggage, he, 
and another chief of the name of Khasib, came to 
