His Excellency the Rais questions me on my rumoured Journey to Soudan.--The Devil has in safe keeping all who are not Mahometans.--I am wearing to a Skeleton.--A Caravan of Women.--Predestination.--The Shânbah begin their Foray.--The Gardens and their Products.--Varieties of the Date-Palm.--Locusts.--Brigands spare the Property of the Marabout Merchants of Ghadames.--Agricultural Implements in The Desert.--Violent capture of a Souf Caravan by the Governor.--Uses of the Date-Palm.--The Touarghee Bandit's opinion as to Killing Christians.--Combat between an Ant and a Fly.--Loose Phraseology in The Mediterranean.--Harsh Hospitality of the Souafah, and Usurpation over their Oases by the French.--Money disappearing from Ghadames.--The Affair of Messrs. Silva and Levi, and their connexion with Ghadamsee Slave-Dealers.--Visit, with his Excellency the Governor, the Ruins of _Kesar-el-Ensara_ "the Castle of the Christians."--Antiquity of Ghadames, and Account of it by Leo Africanus. THE 23rd, 24th, and 25th, employed in writing letters. On one of these days the Rais called me to him and asked, "Whether I really intended to go to Soudan, as the people had reported to him?" I told him Yes, and that I was already making preparations. His Excellency affected great amazement, and looked exceedingly mysterious, but did not know what to reply. At last he observed, "I must write to Ahmed Effendi of The Mountains, and if he says you may go, all well, if not, you must not go." I then asked the Rais, what I was to do in Ghadames? His Excellency said anxiously, "Stay with me to keep me company. I am surrounded with barbarians. I am weary of my life here." As the Rais spoke what I knew to be the truth, I pitied him and said nothing, although I could not understand this asking of permission from Ahmed Effendi, whom I knew to be a queer customer to deal with. However, I interpreted the sense of Colonel Warrington's letter to Rais, viz., "If I had friends I might venture further into the interior, if not, stay where I was until I made friends." I believe the sympathy of the Rais _sincere_, which is a great deal for a Turk, or even any body else in this insincere and lying world. He is a timid man, and is afraid the Touaricks will make an end of me. What the Rais says is reasonable enough: "Bring me a Ghadamsee, or a respectable Arab merchant whom I know, and who will take you with him, and be answerable for your head (safety), and will protect you equally with himself, then I have no fears for your safety." I took my friend Zaleâ to the Rais, who is a native of Seenawan, and much respected by all. The camels of the giant left to-day for Ghat, his giantship himself waits to be conducteur of our caravan.