Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2: 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 2: 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
After we had been kept waiting about half an hour his highness made his
appearance, the courtiers and slaves throwing dust on their heads,
prostrating themselves on the ground before him, crying, "God give you
victory over your enemies!" Whilst the Sultan took his seat upon the
raised mud-bench, the slaves held up two wrappers or barracans, to
shield his highness from public view whilst he took his seat. All the
floor of the apartment was covered with a dense mass of people, and
amongst the number several Tuaricks, including the Sheikh Lousou, and
Haj Abdoua, another distinguished Tuarick. Lousou is a tall thin man, of
light complexion, with European features--a perfect Targhee. His manners
were very mild, and indeed all this tribe are gentle enough here in a
foreign country. The Sheikh shook me cordially by the hands. I then
commenced business as showman to the prince and this mass of people. At
first his highness was timid, and would not look through the glasses of
the peepshows, but when the people began he followed, and acquired the
knack of looking through in a very short time. My compass and watch and
keys were then all examined, and produced great amusement. What pleased
him much was the screw by which the compass was stopped. I was
dreadfully frightened lest the watch should be broken as well as the
compass, and indeed the former has received some damage: such machines
should not be handled by these negro grandees.
Whilst this examination was going on, his highness, as if he had little
time to lose, continued to administer justice. Several cases were
settled whilst the worthy Sultan was looking through the peepshow and
kaleidoscope. Among others, a man came forward in great agitation, and
cried, "O Sultan! my wife will not live with me, and has run away to her
father. I will give you three bullocks if you will fetch her back and
make her live with me!" The Sultan smiled, and observed only, "Hem, your
wife won't live with you! Well, what can I do?" Another man came forward
and cried, "O Sultan! I am a thief, but you must pardon me. I stole this
mat because I was a poor man" (holding up the mat). "I restore the mat."
His highness observed, "Leave it; I will see what can be done." A
collection of stolen articles was restored also by another person. Then
came a man more bold, and brought a present from a neighbouring village,
consisting of two large bowls of ghaseb and a bundle of wood. The man
made a great clamour, holding up the present. His highness looked at
him, and said, "Good, good; put them down."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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