HOISTING THE BRITISH FLAG HOPE. 
323 
hoist the British flag over the tents, and to fire a 
salute, we imitated her example. This is my first 
success in diplomacy ! On returning, we prepared for 
our evening's festivities, but the tempest assailing us 
we waited till fairer weather. 
At five in the evening we hoisted the British 
flag, and fired no less than a hundred musket dis- 
charges. I do not recollect that this ceremony was 
ever before performed in the desert, in Bornou 
or Soudan, although the union-jack certainly now 
flies at Mourzuk and Ghadamez, on the roofs of 
the consular houses. 
Now I pray God that our great troubles may be 
over in Aheer — little troubles we must always en- 
counter, and bear with fortitude. Our servants and 
friends are much rejoiced at our success with En- 
Noor, and they promise me farther success in Sou- 
dan and Bornou. Alas! God alone knows what is 
reserved for us ; but we must not despair after these 
events of Aheer. At first all was black, without 
one solitary ray of light; now, all the Sultans of 
Aheer are determined they say, conjointly, to afford 
us protection : whilst the people are showing them- 
selves more friendly every day. 
A strange thing is a devoted slave. Zangheema 
is the devoted slave of En-Noor. He is his right 
hand, his man of business, his vizier, his shadow, 
his second self. Alternately Zangheema attends 
the marts of Mourzuk and Kanou; and, fortunately 
for us, he is now going to Kanou. 
