280 OUR SUPPOSED WEALTH — SIGNS. 
become a practical one of these days ; and submis- 
sion will prove to be the only remedy, whatever 
may happen. 
Another result of practical observation! We shall 
have to destroy our tin biscuit- chests, for all the 
people swear thatthey arefullof money. Our ownter- 
vants g-o so far as to say that these chests, by exciting 
the curiosity and cupidity of the people, have been 
the causes of most of our misfortunes. In whatever 
case, every European travelling through these coun- 
tries will be considered to have half his baggage 
consisting of gold and silver. I have been telling 
tlie people all along I have not any money, but no 
one quite believes me. 
In this country, by the way, and all Saharan 
countries where many languages are spoken, a 
great deal is done by signs. The sign of the 
crooked forefinger represents the crouching of man 
and beast under sickness ; but no sign is more com- 
mon than which represents the large Spanish dollar, 
namely, forming a circle with the thumb and fore- 
finger, and turning the thumb downwards. 
Escort En-Noor, as I am obh'ged to distinguish 
him, returns to his place this night, and takes with 
him three or four camels, to gi^^e them something to 
eat; they are starving here near the town. I settled 
with him for the thirty-seven reals of Wataitee in 
goods, not money ; — so the Queen's property goes ! 
The peculiarity of this locality at the present 
season of the year appears to be, that it rains every 
