144 
VALLEY OF TABEA. 
growing more and more civil and companionable. 
This evening I gave him a small pair of good 
scissors, which much delighted him. As for the 
other Tnaricks, Hateetah excepted, I make it a rule 
to refuse what they ask, otherwise I should be 
annoyed every day with their importunities. Ha- 
teetah says we must lodge at Ghat w^ith Haj Ahmed, 
the governor, outside of the town, to be out of 
the way of the begging Tuaricks. He adds, 
" Always keep the door shut, and when any one 
calls out for permission to enter, say ' Babo,' — (No 
one at home !) " 
The Germans, like myself, find the fatigue too 
great to enable them to continue their observations 
and writings w^ith regularity. We must not be 
extravagant of our health and strength at this early 
period of our expedition. 
The valley of Tabea is a pleasant place, having 
herbage for the camels in abundance, as is the case 
wherever the ethel-tree is found. There are 
several wells w^ith water near the surface, and 
others might no doubt be dug all over the wady. 
Our encampment looked picturesque this evening. 
It is the eve of Ramadhan, and our people fired 
shots here and there to celebrate the occasion. 
lOth. — A halt was arranged for this day. I 
took the opportunity to wash and change all my 
clothes, which I do every three or four days, if pos- 
sible. Mr. Hateetah, however, would not allow me 
to carry on my domestic arrangements in peace. He 
