276 
TREES SECLUSION OF EN-NOOR. 
I repeat again, that the Germans and m3^self enjoy 
tolerably good health, but none of us can be said to 
be in a state of robust bodily vigour. 
This portion of the landscape of Aheer, if I may 
use the term landscape, does not differ materially 
from the first which we entered. The rocks are all 
granite, and of one colour. 
The greater part of the trees are tholukh and 
souak. The hasheesh consists chiefly of the hou 
rekahah. 
In the valley I observe a fine old specimen of 
the Soudan tree, called, in Bornouese, Imraglwu. 
The little black-and-white bird which has followed 
us all through the desert from Mourzuk still 
appears here, and sings a little. 
It is diiBcult to describe the state of mind in which 
I write down all these things. Here we are help- 
lessly encamped, our camels driven away, and no 
signs of their return. Certainly En-Noor sends us 
promises that he will do what he can for us ; but 
though vve do not doubt his goodwill we begin to be 
uncertain of his power. He is still suffering from 
rheumatism and fever, and the}' tell us he is not 
able to receive strangers. Let us hope that this 
seclusion bodes no ill to our interests. Some of his 
female relations came this morning to ask for little 
presents. I gave the mother of Mohammed, who 
commanded our escort, a handkerchief. This young 
man has, we are told, gone out this morning alone to 
search for cur lost camels. Meanwhile, in the hope 
