Chap. LXXIX. SEPARATION FROM THE SHEIKH. 239 
whom I had come in contact in the course of my long 
journey, I esteemed the most highly, and whom, 
in all but his dilatory habits and phlegmatic indif- 
ference, I had found a most excellent and trust- 
worthy man. I had lived with him for so long a 
time in daily intercourse, and in the most turbulent 
circumstances, sharing all his perplexities and anx- 
ieties, that I could not but feel the parting very 
severely. Having exhorted the messengers whom he 
was to send along with me, never to quarrel, and to 
follow my advice implicitly in all cases, but especially 
with regard to the rate of progress in the journey, as 
he knew that I was impatiently looking forward to my 
home journey, he gave me his blessing, and assured me 
that I should certainly reach home in safety. Moham- 
med ben Khottar, who in consequence of his serious in- 
disposition was prevented from accompanying me any 
further, and the Sheikh's eldest son, Sidi Mohammed, 
did not take leave of me until I was in the boat. 
When I had safely landed on the opposite shore, I 
fired twice a farewell, in conformity with the request 
of the Sheikh. 
The river here, at present, was studded with sand- 
banks, which greatly facilitated the crossing of my 
camels and horses, although between the sandbanks 
and the south-westerly shore there was a deep channel 
of considerable breadth. The locality where I touched 
the south-western bank of the river is called Gona, a 
name identical with that of a place of great celebrity 
for its learning and its schools, in the countries of the 
