38 ' PEL LATAH LANGUAGE A FORLORN MAN. 
Soudan, and of the present negro races on the 
western coast. 
I finished the statistics of the towns and villages 
of Asben — after all, a very imperfect affair. Never- 
theless, it is the best which I could make from, my 
materials. 
En-Noor paid me a visit in the morning, and 
stopped gossiping two hours. From him I learnt that 
the Fellatah language has no relation to the Arabic 
or Tuarick, but is quite a language peculiar in itself. 
He also informed us that the Gouberites were still 
at war with the Fellatahs of Sakkatou ; that they 
were united with the people of Maradee, ancient 
Kohlans like themselves, and that this united force 
had been lately gaining their lost ground against 
the new Muslim powers in Soudan. En-Noor 
seems to favour the re-establishment of these people 
against the Fellatahs. The latter he naturally hates, 
on account of their attempts on the independence of 
the Kailouees, and their perpetual intrigues at 
Aghadez. 
With regard to Tesaoua, En-Noor pretends that 
he founded this city. His statement is singularly 
suggestive and picturesque in its simplicity. He says 
that he met, on the spot where Tesaoua now stands, 
a forlorn man, with only two slaves. 
" What are you doing ? " he said to the man. 
" Nothing," the man replied. " What can I do ? 
naked as I am, with myself and two slaves ? " 
