T R A V E LS
IN THE
I N T E R I O R OF A F R I C A .
CHAPTER I |
V O Y A G E FROM C A IR O TO A U G I L A .
SECTION I.
To Ummesogeir.
T h e merchants of Augila had appointed their rendezvous to be
held at Kardaffi, a village in the vicinity of Cairo; where I joined
them on September the 5th, 1798, and leaving that place the same
day, in about an hour we reached the great body of the caravan,
which yearly returns from Mecca through Cairo and Fezzan, to the
western countries of Africa. The caravan was waiting for us at a
small village called Baruascb: we halted at some little distance
from the pilgrims, and encamped until the next morning; when
the monotonous kettle-drum of our Sheik awakened us before rise
of the sun, with summons to proceed on our journey.
I had not under-rated the difficulties of the journey; I was aware
that many must arise, especially affecting myself, never having
B
