168 A LAME SHEIKH AND A BANDIT. 
During my residence at Ghat I received a visit 
from my old friend Ouweek, and also from the old 
bandit whose acquaintance I made at Ghadamez. 
Ouweek was very complimentary, and shook me 
cordially by the hands. He observed, "There is no 
fear in this country ; go on in advance : this country 
is like Fezzan." I then brought him out some 
tobacco, and a handkerchief to wrap it in. As usual, 
he did not seem satisfied with this ; so I added a 
loaf of white sugar. He then noticed Yusuf, and 
thus addressed him: "Yusuf! I have heard that 
Hateetah and the son of Shafou are about to conduct 
these Christians to Soudan. I am a better man 
than them all ! Now Hateetah and Waled Shafou 
will want this sugar and tobacco on the road. I 
leave it for them." On this he started up on two 
sticks, for he is doubly lame, having the Guinea- 
worm in both legs, and went away hurriedly. I, 
however, sent the sugar and tobacco after him, and 
this time he condescended to accept them. He 
came to see me mounted on his maharee (or 
dromedary). 
To the old bandit of Ghadamez I also presented 
some tobacco, and he went his way. Fortunately 
there were few Tuaricks in Ghat at this time, other- 
wise I should have had hosts of such visitors. The 
absence of these grasping chiefs has interfered, it is 
true, with the treaty of commerce ; but it is possible, 
that even had Khanouhen been present some other 
shift would have been discovered. There are now 
