140 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. CiiAr. LXXV. 
Oraken, we at length, having gained firm ground, 
were able to change our direction to the east along 
Eliggeduf and Ewabe. We had just marched three 
hours, when we found ourselves opposite our encamp- 
ment on the downs, separated from them by the 
swampy ground of about half a mile in extent. 
Uncertain as to the direction which our friend had 
taken, we now began to rove about, here and there, 
in search of him ; but there was no inducement to 
tarry long, as, by the breaking up of a great number 
of encampments of the Tawarek, an innumerable host 
of small files had been left in this district without 
occupation and sustenance, and thus left destitute of 
their usual food greedily attacked ourselves. Leaving 
then behind us the low downs, which were thickly 
covered with diim-bush, the resort of a numerous 
host of guinea fowl, we entered again low swampy 
ground, and at length, after having traversed a thickly 
wooded district, ascertained the spot whither the Sheikh 
had betaken himself, which was at a place called 
A'kale, the eminence on the bank of the river being 
called E'm-alawen. But, when we at length reached 
it, we found the holy man sleeping in the shade of a 
siwdk, or Capparis^ and the noise of our horses, as we 
came galloping along, was not sufficient to awaken 
him from his deep slumber. Such was the mild and 
inoffensive character of this man, in the midst of these 
warlike and lawless hordes. 
Waiting till my protector should rise from his 
peaceful slumber, I sat down in the shade of a rich 
