RESPECTING MAJOR LAING. 501 
laden with provisions and merchandise. He had arrived 
within a few days' journey of Timbuctoo with his caravan, 
when he was joined by another, composed of Moors of 
Tuat or Timris. They first demanded presents of him, 
and then invited him to barter. The Englishman (who 
is supposed to be Major Laing) consented, aud trafficked 
with this tribe : but, during the night, they burst into his 
tent and attacked him. The white man and his servants 
defended themselves bravely ; though wounded in the 
arm, the traveller succeeded in escaping on one of his 
<;amels : he was rejoined soon after by one of the blacks, 
who brought back two others ; they fortunately reached 
Timbuctoo and took refuge there. But the Tuaris pur- 
sued them, and required of the King to surrender to them 
the white man who had killed several of their companions. 
The unfortunate man was obliged to flee from his perse- 
cutors : in vain he took a contrary course to deceive his 
pursuers and escape to Sego ; he was overtaken by the 
villains and put to death. 
I could have easily obtained from the Tuaris the 
books which belonged to this European but I durst not, 
lest I should be suspected of having been concerned in 
his murder. 
TBK END. 
