102 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP, III. 
out to visit this exalted personage, and found him a fat silly boy 
with sore eyes, very dirty and ragged, and surrounded by Hadge 
Mahmoud and a few others, with about the same share of in- 
tellect as himself, who were listening with great admiration to his 
remarks. 
The Sultan, on the arrival of this Kaffle, rode out in state to see 
them, and supplied them with provisions during their stay. They 
were about one hundred and fifty in number, and with the ex- 
ception of two tents of canvas, all the rest were of leather, sup- 
ported by sticks and the people's baggage. 
I shall speak at a future period of the Tuarick, their dress, lan- 
guage, &c. 
Rhamadan (the month in which Mohammed is said to have had 
his first communication with the angel Gabriel) was announced on 
the 23d of June, when the new moon appeared. The strictest fast 
was immediately commenced before day, about three o'clock, until 
sunset at seven P. M., sixteen hours ; during this time no one 
drinks or eats, smokes or chews tobacco, and even smelHng perfume 
is considered as wicked, as is swallowing the saliva. 
The excessive heat which raged at this period (see Meteoro- 
logical register at the end of the volume) was the occasion of many 
very serious illnesses amongst our friends and neighbours. Mr. 
Eitchie being very unwell and in bed, was, in a manner, privileged 
to take food or drink ; but as Belford and myself were now much 
recovered, we were obhged to be very cautious, only eating by 
stealth, and when no one was likely to interrupt us. We had 
at this time a servant, who was a very inquisitive fellow ; and 
our artifices to get him out of the way on these occasions 
would, by any but a blockhead like himself, have been soon dis- 
covered : however, we not only got safely through, but were for- 
tunate enough to obtain credit for keeping the fast with great 
