Chap. LXXIV. THE BERBERS. 
117 
the value of the letters. I here also had proof of the 
great dislike which the Tawarek have to the name 
of their father being mentioned, for when the little 
Haiballa, the companion of the son of the Sheikh, 
mentioned the death of Kiingu's father, the little 
fellow flew into a great rage, and was ready to kill 
him on the spot. 
I received, besides, a great deal of information from 
a young man who had lately come from the north, 
in order to study under the Sheikh. He belonged to 
the Welad Yoaza, a section of the tribe of the Me- 
shediif, which originally appears to have been of pure 
Berber extraction, being identical with the celebrated 
tribe of the Masufa, but who, at present, have become 
Arabicised. He was evidently a man of a good family ; 
but being now rather scantily supplied with food, he 
took refuge with me, in order to enjoy my hospitality. 
On this occasion I learned from him a great deal with 
regard to some districts of the desert, with which I 
had been unacquainted. 
In the same encampment, we received full con- 
firmation of the news with regard to the progress of 
the French towards the south, and of their bavins: 
taken possession of Wargela. The excitement pro- 
duced in consequence was very great, and made my 
situation extremely difficult and dangerous. The 
Sheikh El Bakay came twice in the same afternoon 
to me, expressing his intention of uniting the strength 
of the Tawatiye and the Awelimmiden in a common 
attack upon the French. But I endeavoured to show 
I 3 
