120 
ARRANGEMENTS ESCORT. 
tion — merely observing that, among other things to 
which I had to attend during my stay in Mourzuk, 
were, in the first place, to collect provisions and 
stores for a journey that may last two years; 
secondly, to purchase presents for the princes and 
other distinguished persons of the interior; and 
thirdly, to provide against the casualties of the 
journey, payment of salaries, &c. All these things 
I had to do on my own responsibility. Among other 
things, I have purchased from Mr. Gagliuffi an Arab 
gun and pair of pistols, inlaid with silver and curi- 
ously wrought, for the sum of 180 mahboubs. This 
is for a present to the Sheikh of Bornou, who will 
expect something pleasing to the eye as well as the 
boat, which he may at first, perhaps, not appreciate 
at its full value. 
I have already made a good many casual allu- 
sions to our plans and arrangements ; but it will be 
necessary here, before our departure from the last 
city that acknowledges the Ottoman authority, to 
make a brief statement of our position and prospects. 
Things that already appear clear to me may not 
be so to others. During my former visit to Ghat, 
when I travelled as a private individual, known as 
" Yakob," I made acquaintance with Hateetah, a 
Tuarick Sheikh, who had assumed the title of 
Consul of the English. It is the custom in that 
country for every stranger on his arrival to put 
himself under the protection of one of the head men, 
to whom alone he makes presents, and who answers 
