IN

THE GREAT DESERT

OF SAHARA,

IN THE YEARS OF 1845 AND 1846.

CONTAINING

A NARRATIVE OF PERSONAL ADVENTURES, DURING A TOUR OF NINE
MONTHS THROUGH THE DESERT, AMONGST THE TOUARICKS

AND OTHER TRIBES OF SAHARAN PEOPLE;

INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF

THE OASES AND CITIES OF GHAT, GHADAMES,
AND MOURZUK.

BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Φωνὴ βοώντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.

M.D.CCC. XLVIII.

LONDON:

HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,

45, ST. MARTIN'S LANE.

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER XVI.

RESIDENCE IN GHAT.

Arrival at Ghat, and reception by its Inhabitants.-The Cold

of The Sahara.-Haj Ahmed, the Governor, and Sheikh

Jabour.-Distribute Presents to the Governor and Jabour.

-Visit the Sheikh Hateetah, styled the British Consul of

Ghat. Make the acquaintance of the Tripoline Merchant

Haj Ibrahim.-The Ghat Rabble.-Ouweek arrives in

Ghat.-A Visit from Touarick Women.-Arabs begging

from me by force.-Arrival of Kandarka from Aheer.-

Bel Kasem's account of the Slave Trade.- Visit to Haj

Ahmed, the Governor; his Character and Establishment

described.-Bel Kasem's Sick Slave. All classes of People

attempt to convert me to Mohammedanism.-Bad effect

of an European Tourist assuming the Character of a Ma-

hometan. Touarghee mode of Saluting. Miserable

condition of Slaves on arriving from Soudan.-Soudanese

Merchants friendly to me.-Visit from the Governor.-

Report in The Desert of Christians Worshipping Idols.—

Make the Acquaintance of a young Touarghee.-Slave

Trading and Kidnapping Slaves up The Niger.-Eco-

nomical Bill of Expenses of Journey from Ghat to Soudan

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CHAPTER XVII.

RESIDENCE IN GHAT.

Gloves an enigma of Wonder.-Visit Sheikh Hateetah.-All

Men equal at Ghat.-Crowds of People surrounding my

House to see me.-Violent Act committed on a Man at

Prayer in the Mosque.-Extent of European Literature

known at Ghat.-Continue unwell.-Ouweek's public

Apology.-Dances of the Slaves.-A Saharan Emeute.-

Arrival of Caravans.-Return the Visit of the Governor.

-Europe, a cluster of innumerable Islets.-Who has most

Money, Christians or Mahometans ?-People more used

to my presence in Ghat.-The Prophet of the Touaricks.—

Visit from Aheer Touaricks.-The Governor's petty deal-

ing. The Shereef of Moorzuk.-Visit from Jabour.-

Beginning Soudanic Cottons.-Visits from Kandarka and

Zoleâ -Route from Ghat to Alexandria, and its distance.

-The Shereef of Medina.-Character and, influence of

Khanouhen, heir-apparent of the Touarghee Throne of the

Azgher Touaricks, and his arrival in Ghat

CHAPTER XVIII.

RESIDENCE IN GHAT.

Arrival of the Sultan Shafou -Visit to His Highness.-Visit

to Hateetah; his jealousy of the Sultan and other Sheikhs.

-Visit from the People of the Oasis of Berkat.-Said

sobbing and sulking.-A Night-School in The Desert.—

Use of Sand instead of Paper, Pens, and Ink.— Mode of

Touarghee succession to the Throne.-Women hereditary

possessors of Household Property.-Negresses are Dra-

matic Performers.-Description of the Oasis of Ghat;

Houses, Architecture, Gardens, and Surrounding Country.

-Visit from the Heir-Apparent, Khanouhen. - Genial

softness of the Weather.-Specimen of Retail Trade.—

Case of administering Justice by the Sultan.-Early habit

of Touarghee begging.-The Bou-Habeeba, or Saharan

Singing Sparrows.-Alarm of Female Hucksters at The

Christian

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CHAPTER XIX.

ABANDON THE TOUR TO SOUDAN.

Violent Act of a Touarick on Slaves.-Visit to the Princess

Lilla Fatima.-Mode of grinding Corn.-Dilatoriness of

Commercial Transactions.-Grandees of Ghat Town.—

Khanouhen refuses his Present.-Rumours of the Conquest

of Algeria spread throughout Africa. Small Breed of

Animals in Sahara.-Queer circumstance of unearthly

Voices.-The Cold becomes intense.-Arrival of Sheikh

Berka. Hateetah in good Humour.-My Targhee friend,

Sidi Omer.-Visit from Kandarka; his Character.-Visit

to the aged Berka, and find the Giant.-Hateetah's

Political Gossips.-At a loss which Route to take, and

how to proceed.-Superstitions connected with the But-

cher.-Zeal of an old Hag against The Christian.--Out of

Humour. Reported departure of Caravans.-Jabour calls

with a Patient.-Visit Bel Kasem, and find Khanouhen.

-Political Factions of Azgher Touaricks.-Giants in The

Desert. Fanciful analogies of origin of Peoples.-Hier-

archy of the Sheikhs.-Population, Arms, and Military

Forces of the Ghat Touaricks.-The Mahry or Maharee.

-Camels named from their Fleetness.-Touarghee Court

of Justice-Amphitheatrical style of Touaricks lounging.

-Amount of Customs-Dues paid by Ghat Traders.-Free

Trade in Sahara

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CHAPTER XX.

CONTINUED RESIDENCE IN GHAT.

Commerce of Winter Mart at Ghat.-Visit to Hateetah, and

meet the Sultan. Means of suppressing Saharan Slave

Trade by the Touaricks.-Hateetah refuses my returning

with a Bengazi Caravan.-Bad Character of Arabs.-

Receive a Visit from His Highness the Sultan; and inte-

resting Conversation with him.-Ghat Townsmen great

Bigots. Unexpected Meeting with the Sultan. My

Targhee Friend's opinion of War.-Mode of Baking Bread.

-Country of Touat.-The British Consul is perplexed

at his Master being a Lady.-Vulgar error of Christians

ill-treating Mussulmans in Europe.-People teach the

Slaves to call me Infidel.-Visit to Bel Kasem, and find

Khanouhen. The free-thinking of this Prince.-Said's ap-

prehensions of Touaricks.-Hateetah's opinion of stopping

Saharan Slave-Dealing.-Shafou leaves Ghat.-Discussion

of Politics with an assemblage of Chiefs.-Description of

the Touarick Tribes and Nations of The Great Desert.-

Description of Aheer and Aghadez.-Leo's Account of the

Targhee Desert -Daughters of the Governor Educated.-

Touaricks refuse aid from the Turks against the Shânbah.

-A private Slave-Mart.-Ghat comparatively free from

Crime.-Visit from Berka

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