lately paid a visit to the sheikh, and although they brought him only a few slaves, that they had stolen from the Begharmi side of the water, yet he received them kindly, and gave them fine tobes and red caps. Their visit was principally to see if the reports of the sheikh’s power were tru e ; but notwithstanding their kind reception, on returning they carried off three girls from within ten miles of Kouka. These islands lie on the eastern side of the Tchad, and on embarking from the west, they described the voyage as five days of open sea previous to arriving at the islands, which are numerous ; the two largest are named Koorie and Sayah. They, have a language of their own, although resembling that of Kanem. Their arms are spears and shields, and they fight with every body around them, Waday, Begharmi, and Bornou. They believe in a divine power, which rules every thing, but are not Musselmans. They have a strong arm, they say, and a cunning head, instead of a large country, and much cattle ; therefore they must take from those who are richer than themselves. The Bornou people say, “ the waters are theirs ; what can we do ?” I t is said they have nearly one thousand large canoes. They are not a sanguinary or cruel people ; and when prisoners are taken in battle and wounded, they do not kill, but cure them ; and if no ransom is offered, they give them wives, and they remain as free as themselves. Aug. 30.—Hadgi Ali Boo-Khaloom had been now returned more than a week, and nothing satisfactory had ever been extracted from him as to the money left in his brother’s hands. I had great fears of his honesty from the first, and urged the necessity of our taking some decided measures with him. We accordingly summoned him to appear before the sheikh; the result of which was, our failure for want of sufficient documents, and the tergiversation of the Arabs. The official document of this trial, translated from the Arabic, will be found in the Appendix. We received visits of condolence from several of our Bornou friends, who were all extravagant in their abuse of Hadgi Ali. “Are these your Mourzuk friends,” said they, “ who were to assist you with every thing? Why, this is robbing you. However, they called God to witness to a lie, and they will die soon : only wait a day or two.” Sept. 1.—Dr. Oudney now cupped himself on the chest for the second time, and found some little relief. Feeling that our situation required an appearance of spirit and determination, I sent for Abdal Wahad, an Arab of Zehren, distantly related to Boo-Khaloom, and to whom, on two occasions of distress, I had been kind, and upbraided him with his falsehood and ingratitude; nor was my- remonstrance altogether without effect. He acknowledged that “ his heart had been too big for his stomach ever since he left the palace: that his eyes had been dim, and he had enjoyed no rest; for,” said he, “ I swore to myself to be as faithful to you as to a brother!” “ All this is very fine,” said I ; “ but what proof will you give of this remorse ?” “ Every proof,” he replied; “ Hadgi Ali will come this very day and acknowledge the debt—that must be the consequence. I have been to the sheikh, and said how you had assisted me; and that I had sworn, and could not see you wronged.” Even as Abdal Wahad predicted, so it happened. Karouash came in the course of the day to say that Abdal Wahad had been at his house, and told him the debt was just, and that he had reported the conversation to the sheikh. The sheikh’s answer was, “ He is quite right; after what the rais Khaleel said, every one would have known where the justice lay; for the English have not many words, but they are true ; and the Arabs, you know, will lie a little (kidip sliouie shouie).” In the evening Hadgi Ali came himself; he made, however, but a undering excuse, saying he had never inquired into it—did hot even know whether we gave any money or not to Boo-Khaloom; but that now he knew, and God forbid he should ever be otherwise than friendly with the English, and that not only two, but five thouc c
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