268 
INTERVIEW WITH THE SULTAN. 
fortunately for us, we have arrived at a most in- 
secure season. 
Of the people of bis own district the Sultan 
said, "You have nothing to fear from them, except 
that thieves may come in the night. Beware of 
them ; and fall upon any one who may come near 
your tents after dark. There may be people who 
will slink from the neighbouring towns to rob you ; 
take care and watch during the night." Upon this 
I asked him for a couple of servants as guards, but 
he replied that it was not necessary. 
Of the Tanelkums he observed : " It will be 
better when they are gone, for many strangers 
come to them, known neither to you nor to me ; 
and they may rob you." This was an excellent 
observation, for on the road I always found that the 
Haghar strangers, the bandits, and all the idle, low 
characters, who might follow the caravan, never 
failed to make friends with our Tanelkums, and 
thus gained a footing to carry on their treacherous 
designs. 
The greater part of the interview was thus occu- 
pied by a little oration on the part of this respect- 
able Sultan, who wound up by saying that he hoped, 
if it pleased God, that we should now enjoy some 
repose, and afterwards be conducted safely to Ziiider 
and Soudan. 
Observing Ithat the dialogue was flagging, I 
caused the presents we had brought with us to be 
laid out. The Sultan examined all the articles 
