244 
BEHAVIOUR OF THE MARABOUTS. 
With regard to the marabouts, they seem quiet 
enough. It would appear there is an enormous 
fellow amongst them, who every year, during one 
night, flies to Mekka and back again. 
They report to the people that, insomuch as we 
are recommended by the great Sultan of the Turks, 
Abd-el-Majeed, by the Pasha of Tripoli, and all his 
marabouts, by the Pasha and great marabouts of 
Mourzuk, by all the big and mighty people of Ghat 
and the Haghars, but more especially as they have 
found our names written in their books, and that we 
were to come to them and visit their holy city, — 
with a thousand other such reasons — they (the mara- 
bouts) have determined to receive us with open 
arms. The marabouts of all countries pretend to 
find events written plainly, or sliadowed forth, in 
their books. 
After giving away about a hundred and fifty 
pounds sterling, the greatest part, however, forced 
gifts, we have received our first present in Aheer, 
viz. two melons, some onions, and a small quantity of 
wheat this evening, fi'om Haj Bashaw, the influential 
man of Seloufeeat, already mentioned. There is 
still a drawback in this, for the giver knew the father 
of Yusuf, and was anxious to show favour to his 
son, my interpreter. But the fact must be recorded 
as something wonderful. 
The people of our caravan, escort and camel- 
drivers, offer us nothing : to them it would appear a 
sin to give anything to a Christian. Snch are the 
