SIDI JAFEL OF JANET. 
181 
taf, the great man of the oasis of Janet — on which 
we have been speculating so pastorally — is pre- 
paring to come out and intercept our passage to 
Soudan, near the well of Tajetterat. This plea- 
sant intelligence came to us in a letter from Ha- 
teetah and Jabour, who, however, philosophically 
add that they are not quite sure it is correct. I 
rewarded the courier with five reals, and sent him 
off to Waled Shafou and the Sultan with the news ; 
begging the former to meet us certainly at Ealezlez, 
which is about four days from this, whilst Tajetterat 
is nearly eight. Janet is now only a day and a-half 
south-south-west from our encampment. It is a 
small oasis, inhabited by Moors and Tuai'icks. The 
statistics of the place begin to interest us exceed- 
ingly. We are told that there is a good deal of 
corn grown there, on account of the abundance of 
water. Sidi Jafel Waled Sakertaf — whose volu- 
minous name we found it quite easy to learn under 
these circumstances — is cousin of the Sultan Sha- 
fou, and a very old man ; but we cannot hope that 
in these frugal regions the gout wiil interfere in 
our favour, and put a stop to this unprovoked foray. 
The weather has been cool to-day. We are on 
high ground, although in a wady ; and this renders 
the heat very supportable. The reported attack 
keeps our minds occupied, and has a little upset us; 
but no one talks of flinching. Besides, this has not 
been the first alarm, nor will it be the last. I sent 
an account of this circumstance so far to Lord Pal- 
