274 ACCOUNT OF THE TANELKUMS. 
En-Noor ! This is too bad, really too bad. Are 
we never to have any repose ? 
In the evening, as a slight consolation, we were 
fortunate enough to purchase some provisions. The 
German got two goats, and I some samen. I also 
borrowed ghaseb until we could buy. 
Qth. — I got up in better health this morning, 
and felt the benefit of the goats'-flesh broth. I 
observe that it does not rain during the night ; the 
showers come on generally in the afternoon. The 
mornings are dry, fine, and hot. This morning, 
at half-past seven a. m., the thermometer stood 
under the tent at 79° Fahr. 
The Tanelkums, by the way, left us yester- 
day evening. They all return in the course of 
fifteen days ; some of them go on to Zinder, and 
others make their way back to Mourzuk. Haj 
Omer quarrelled desperately with Yusuf before he 
started. 
I may here make a few observations on these 
curious people. Generally, the Tanelkums are 
reckoned amongst the most effeminate and civilised 
of the Tuaricks of the north ; and, indeed, such 
appears to be their character, as developed in our 
transactions with them. Some of them have more 
the manners of merchants than camel-drivers; and 
the mercantile character always tames men in the 
desert. Throughout their journey with us they 
were at all times polite, and at last even became 
quite amiable. During the two affairs which we 
