48 
TEAYELS IN CENl’EAL AEETCA. 
case^ must have been on the alert to cover the baggage. We had 
sundry races after garments^ hats^ &c._, carried oj0P by the wind ; 
and it was a relief when morning dawned. 
When the first faint streaks of light appeared we were up ; and_, 
making our way to the river, we discovered a little creek, in which 
it was delightful to bathe head, hands, and feet. The only intruders 
were a pack of grouse who came to drink. Petherick, always ready 
for ^ sport, having his gun, brought down several : they proved an 
agreeable addition at breakfast and dinner. We attempted to reach 
the ruins of a church not very far from Gagee, but remembering 
the sheikh’s appointment we returned. I did not forget to inquire 
about the ruins, and for answer received the following; ^^It was a 
church before the era of Mahomet, and when the world had but 
one mother.^^ 
At the encampment we found Safi. He gladly entered into 
the plan arranged for the restoration of the tomb, and though a 
child at the time of Mr. Melly’s death, he remembered him per- 
fectly, having been several times in his tent ; and he told us many 
of the painful incidents. Strange to say, our guide, Hadgi Abdel 
Gader, was at the time of the funeral on his way to Berber, and 
hearing that ceremony was about to be performed, he attended. 
To this day the death of the Inglese is mentioned with 
sorrowful respect. No bullock fit to kill could be procured in 
Gagee ; it was therefore arranged that a sum of money should be 
made over to Safi the sheikh ; and his faithful promise was given 
in the presence of his people, that the alterations and restoration of 
the tomb he would, by his Prophet, carry out. 
At this time the uncle put in an objection to his nephew being 
entrusted with the money. He said, The old heads are wise, the 
young foolish.^^ 
