NEWS FROM AGHADEZ. 
307 
people, either to rob us themselves or to wish that 
others may rob us, that they may have something to 
gain by attempting to recover our lost things. 
What we had to pay for the recovery of each of our 
camels was almost as much as some of them were 
worth. 
The weather has been dry and hot for the last 
few days; at noon the thermometer rose to 100° 
under the tent. Suddenly it became cloudy, and a 
few drops of rain began to patter down. There was 
every appearance of a storm, and our people began 
to collect towards the tents. At this time another 
courier arrived from the new Sultan, Abd-el-Kader, 
of Aghadez, respecting us. His highness says: — 
" 'No one shall hurt the Christians: no one shall lift 
up a finger against them; and if they wish to come 
to my city, I shall be very happy to receive them." 
This courier arrived so quickly after the other, that 
I suspect his highness may be spelling for a large 
present; or he may have just heard of the bad 
treatment we have received, and being a new man 
has determined to afford us some reparation. Little 
reliance, however, can be placed on these professions, 
until we know something more of the character of 
Abd-el-Kader. It is certainly a great disappoint- 
ment for us that we do not go to Aghadez. I am 
afraid that this will be the case with many other 
important cities. 
The Es-Sfaxee wished to have a feast to cele- 
brate the arrival of this good news, but I cannot 
