Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's GovernmentRichardson, James
History
Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's Government
Richardson, James
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel; Richardson, James, 1806-1851
Every place has certain things especially in demand. Here nothing goes
down but white calico and very small looking-glasses, which shut up in
boxes. With these we purchase the greater part of our provisions. There
is a little cotton-money about. Our encampment sometimes resembles a
market. The people are curious to observe every action which differs
from theirs. When I promenade a little for exercise, they immediately
turn their eyes upon me with astonishment, and some come to ask what I
do that for. I reply by signs,[17] feeling my legs and stretching them.
This proves satisfactory, for the Kailouees are apparently an active
people, at least in this season; but they moved about little while the
rain lasted, and in the middle of the day they rarely visit us--always
in the morning and in the afternoon. Dr. Overweg has got some patients;
but people generally seem to enjoy very good health in this place. We
have now a great deal of wind instead of rain: it always blows hard in
the latter part of the day. I find this weather very bracing, though the
thermometer at nine P.M. sometimes stands at 83°. The rainy season may
be considered nearly at an end.
[17] It is astonishing how few of the Kailouees speak Arabic. The
few terms and expressions they are acquainted with are only
those of commerce.
The valleys and rocks of Aheer abound with several kinds of wild
animals, both the inoffensive and the ferocious; viz. the gazelle, the
wadan, the wild ox, the ostrich, the wild boar, the jackal, the wolf,
the hyæna, and the lion. Numerous birds haunt the trees. Amongst others
we noticed a very beautiful species of dove, with a very distinct black
ring round its neck; the hippoo; the wood-pecker; linnets; and over us
flew the little black-and-white bird with the long feathers in its tail.
_15th._--We had a fine morning; the wind has quite dried our encampment.
There will be little more wet weather, they tell us; and the rain has
some time quite ceased in Soudan. This is fortunate, as already several
of our things have been spoiled. The Kailouees are taking advantage of
the dry weather, and may be seen riding about in all directions. The
members of the great families, like our European aristocrats, seem to
have no other occupation. God has created the earth for this class to
gallop about over. It was very warm and fine all day; thermometer at
noon, in tent, 95° Fahr.: there was little wind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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