As Eg-Anteouen and Bou-Djema came face to face, I fancied that both
the Targa and the Chaamba gave a sudden start which each immediately
repressed. It was nothing more than a fleeting impression.
Nevertheless, it was enough to make me resolve that as soon as I was
alone with our guide, I would question him closely concerning our new
companion.
The beginning of the day had been wearisome enough. We decided,
therefore, to spend the rest of it there, and even to pass the night
in the cave, waiting till the flood had completely subsided.
In the morning, when I was marking our day's march upon the map,
Morhange came toward me. I noticed that his manner was somewhat
restrained.
"In three days, we shall be at Shikh-Salah," I said to him. "Perhaps
by the evening of the second day, badly as the camels go."
"Perhaps we shall separate before then," he muttered.
"How so?"
"You see, I have changed my itinerary a little. I have given up the
idea of going straight to Timissao. First I should like to make a
little excursion into the interior of the Ahaggar range."