WELLS OF AILOUAH. 
133 
water, recourse is had to a well near at hand, which 
supplies sufficient quantities. How important are 
wells in the desert, and how one learns to mark 
their existence ! 
The valley which we have been traversing three 
days from Sharaba to Ailouah is called Barjouj, 
and is remarkable for the tholukh-trees, which are 
scattered here and there throughout its whole ex- 
tent. We are now seven days from Ghat, and 
about the same distance from Aroukeen ; but the 
Tanelkums, who go slowly, make thirteen days 
between this and Aroukeen. They go direct, as 
we intended to do, without touching at Ghat. Our 
movements are not exactly free, but we must not 
seem to notice this circumstance; and if they insist 
on our taking the route by the capital, in order to 
have an opportunity of increased plunder, must 
give in with as good grace as possible. 
The 2d and 3d of July we stopped at Ailouah. 
Hateetah came to my tent the first day with a long 
face, and said, as I foresaw, that we must all go 
to Ghat, and abide the pleasure of the Tuaricks ; 
also that we must wait for the return of a caravan 
from Aheer. I protested against this latter pre- 
tence, and he got up and went off in a pet. Next 
morning I sent word to his tent that I could not 
stay at Ghat an indefinite period ; that my means 
would not allow me ; and, therefore, that we must 
still protest against this arrangement. He answered, 
that he would assemble all the notables of Ghat 
