Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846 — John Shaqi
Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846Richardson, James
History
Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846
Richardson, James
Sahara -- Description and travel
about their large, black, gazelle-like eyes.
_10th._--Spent the day in writing notes. Expect to remain three more
days. I am, however, comfortably sheltered from the heat, which has been
to-day excessive. Mohammed, my camel-driver, is useful to me as a writer
of Arabic, giving me the names of places in Arabic. But he knows nothing
of Arabic grammar, and writes very poorly, like most of these Marabouts,
although he passes for being a very learned man. He purchased some old
dirty leaves of an Arabic book, and exhibited them to the people as
sacred works. The Sheikhs of Rujban and all the great people of the
villages came to stare at them. They were shocked at my presumption in
wishing to handle these sacred leaves, which were a portion of a
commentary on the Koran. My Marabout is the Katab, or writer of the
village, there being only another who can write here besides himself, and
who writes very badly. Mohammed, though a saint and a writer, is an
enormous hog, and dishonest, when he can be so with safety. He has begun
badly, but may turn out better. Said is not of much use yet; he is very
stupid, but not malicious. I must make the best of both, and of every
body and everything in my present circumstances, conciliating always
wherever I can, and passing by all offences. If I can't do this, I may go
back. I cannot finish these trifling memoranda to-day, without expressing
my thankfulness to a good Providence, that I enjoy good health and
spirits up to this time, and there is every appearance of my arriving
safely in Ghadames. "All is from God!" (_Men ând Allah El-koul_, as the
people say.)
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