204 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXVIL 
stood the rain beautifully, to the great astonishment 
of the Tawdrek, who all came, soon after the rain 
was over, to see if I had not been swamped in my 
frail dwelling, which, before, they had looked upon 
with contempt. 
I had afterwards a very important controversy 
with the Sheikh's people, in which I had to make use 
of all my energy in order to carry out my intention 
of following up the shores of the river ; for the Kel 
Siik wanted to persuade the Sheikh to enter here the 
open desert, and to make straight for the encampment 
of their chief, Khozematen, who, they said, would 
provide me with everything necessary for my further 
journey. They were seconded in their endeavour 
by all the eloquence of A^hmed Waddwi, El Bakay's 
favourite pupil, who asserted that, after the heavy 
rains that had fallen, the desert afforded plenty 
of herbage for the horses. But I opposed these 
arguments in the most determined manner, assuring 
the Sheikh that, even if he should go, I would not, 
but that I should pursue my route straight along 
the river ; and, in order to make an impression on 
his mind, I reminded him of the distinct promise 
which he had given me of conducting me to Gogo. 
The Sheikh, then seeing that I was firm, adhered 
to his word, and it was therefore decided that a 
message should be sent to the chiefs of the Kel e' 
Suk, to the effect that they were to meet us in Gogo, 
while we continued our march along the river. 
Thus we left this cheerless camping-ground in the 
