Chap. LXXXIV. ABORTIVE PLAN OF DEPARTURE. 401 
extremely happy in having at length left behind me 
a town of which I had become excessively tired. 
But it was not my destiny to get off so easily, and 
leave this country so soon, for I had had repeated 
and very serious consultations, not only with the 
Sheikh, but especially with his brother, Abba Yusuf, 
who was distinguished by his learning and his 
love of justice, about the parcel sent by Her Ma- 
jesty's government, together with the 400 dollars 
which I had left behind in Zinder, and which had 
been stolen in consequence of the revolutionary out- 
break. After a great deal of discussion, the Sheikh 
promised me that he would restore what I had 
lost. But, knowing from experience that with these 
people time is of no value, and finding my health 
rapidly declining, I had come to the resolution of not 
waiting any longer, and the Sheikh, seeing that I was 
determined, according to all appearance gave his full 
approval to my departure by sending me, on the 
morning of the 21st, five camels, which, although of 
very inferior quality, yet held out to me a slight 
hope of proceeding on my journey. But in the after- 
noon of the 22nd he sent to me my old friend Hdj 
Edris, in order to induce me to return into the town ; 
and the latter made me all sorts of promises as to the 
manner in which the Sheikh wanted to grant me 
redress for all the claims which I had upon him. In 
order to show the ruler of the country that I had no 
fault to find with his own conduct, and to entreat him 
once more to send me off without further delay, I 
VOL. V. D D 
