REPORTS CONCERNING OUR AFFAIRS. 243 
what change from the aspect of those in Central 
Sahara, are the immensely large tholukhs, some of 
them covered with parasitical plants; the doom palm, 
and the souak tree. I have also seen the ethel 
hereabouts. 
The houses of Seloufeeat and Tintaghoda have, 
however, a true African aspect, being thatched with 
leaves of the doom palm. Some of them are sheds, 
with a roof supported by four poles, under w^iich the 
people repose in the shade by day and by night 
shelter themselves from noxious vapours. 
The most extraordinary reports are beginning to 
circulate about us and our affairs. It has been con- 
fidently spread about that the three Azgher, who 
followed us from Tajetterat, had a letter in their 
possession, which they were to show to all the popu- 
lation beyond the Ghat territory, written by Kha- 
nouhen, to the effect that we were to be murdered 
as soon as we got beyond that territory, by w4iom- 
soever the attempt might be made. 
Another report is, that the sixty maharees, said 
to have been in pursuit of us at Taghajeet, did 
actually arrive at that district, but finding us too 
far ahead for them they returned ; they came by the 
way of Tuat. These Haghars were to have fallen 
upon us during the night, and murdered all of us, 
even the Tanelkums, except Oad-el-Khair and tw^o 
others. There is a route which leads direct to 
Tuat from Taghajeet, and also another from Aisoa 
to Tuat. 
