ABSTRACT
THE 23rd, 24th, and 25th, employed in writing letters. On one of these days the Rais called me to him and asked, "Whether I really intended to go to Soudan, as the people had reported to him ~" I told him Yes, and that I was already making preparations. His Excellency affected great amazement, and looked exceedingly mysterious, but did not know what to reply. At last he observed, " I must write to Ahmed Effendi of The Mountains, and if he says you may go, all well, if not, you must not go." I then asked the Rais, what I was to do in Ghadames ~ His Excellency said anxiously, "Stay with me to keep me company. I am surrounded
withbarbarians.Iamwearyofmylifehere."Asthe RaisspokewhatIknewtobethetruth,Ipitiedhim andsaidnothing,althoughIcouldnotunderstandthis askingofpermissionfromAhmedEffendi,whomIknew tobeaqueercustomertodealwith.However,IinterpretedthesenseofColonelWarrington'slettertoRais, viz.,"IfIhadfriendsImightventurefurtherintothe interior,ifnot,staywhereIwasuntilImadefriends." IbelievethesympathyoftheRaissincere,whichisa greatdealforaTurk,orevenanybodyelseinthis insincereandlyingworld.Heisatimidman,andis afraidtheTouarickswillmakeanendofme.What theRaissaysisreasonableenough:"BringmeaGhadamsee,orarespectableArabmerchantwhomIknow, andwhowilltakeyouwithhim,andbeanswerablefor yourhead(safety),andwillprotectyouequallywith himself,thenIhavenofearsforyoursafety."Itook myfriendZaleatotheRais,whoisanativeofSeenawan, andmuchrespectedbyall.Thecamelsofthegiant leftto-dayforGhat,hisgiantshiphimselfwaitstobe conducteurofourcaravan.
