238 
ARRIVE AT SELOUFEEAT. 
once, and get away from this scene of our second 
disaster ; but we had to stay to select the goods 
which were to pay for our lives, liberties, and con- 
sciences. However, we at length got off ; and 
whilst the bandits were swearing, and griping one 
another by the throat, and fighting over the booty, 
we pushed hastily on towards Seloufeeat, which, 
according to our Tanelkums, is really the first 
country of Asben. As we entered the valley our 
people kept up a running fire, to alarm any one 
who might feel disposed to attack us. We had 
been so much accustomed to inhospitality and rob- 
bers of late, that we confidently expected further 
difficulties as soon as we met with the inhabitants. 
After a march of four hours we arrived, and 
encamped in the neighbourhood of Seloufeeat. 
The valley has quite a Soudan, appearance, but 
solely on account of the presence of the doom palm. 
There are, however, a considerable number of other 
trees, particularly the souak, the branches of which 
are eaten voraciously by our camels. It has beauti- 
ful green foliage, and is very bushy and spreading. 
Wheat, and ghaseb, and other grain are grown in 
the valley, where there is abundance of good water. 
The wells are like those of Ghadamez, — that is to 
say, an upright beam with a long cross-pole, having a 
stone at one end and a rope and bucket at the other, 
serves to bring up the water. 
We found here a caravan about to proceed 
direct to Mourzuk, and I seized the opportunity to 
