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Textbook Bio Inspired Computing Theories and Applications 13Th International Conference Bic Ta 2018 Beijing China November 2 4 2018 Proceedings Part I Jianyong Qiao Ebook All Chapter PDF
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Jianyong Qiao Xinchao Zhao
Linqiang Pan Xingquan Zuo
Xingyi Zhang Qingfu Zhang
Shanguo Huang (Eds.)
Bio-inspired Computing:
Theories and Applications
13th International Conference, BIC-TA 2018
Beijing, China, November 2–4, 2018
Proceedings, Part I
123
Communications
in Computer and Information Science 951
Commenced Publication in 2007
Founding and Former Series Editors:
Phoebe Chen, Alfredo Cuzzocrea, Xiaoyong Du, Orhun Kara, Ting Liu,
Dominik Ślęzak, and Xiaokang Yang
Editorial Board
Simone Diniz Junqueira Barbosa
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio),
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Joaquim Filipe
Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal
Igor Kotenko
St. Petersburg Institute for Informatics and Automation of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
Krishna M. Sivalingam
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
Takashi Washio
Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Junsong Yuan
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
Lizhu Zhou
Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/7899
Jianyong Qiao Xinchao Zhao
•
Bio-inspired Computing:
Theories and Applications
13th International Conference, BIC-TA 2018
Beijing, China, November 2–4, 2018
Proceedings, Part I
123
Editors
Jianyong Qiao Xingyi Zhang
Beijing University of Posts Anhui University
and Telecommunications Hefei
Beijing China
China
Qingfu Zhang
Xinchao Zhao City University of Hong Kong
Beijing University of Posts Kowloon
and Telecommunications Hong Kong
Beijing
China Shanguo Huang
Beijing University of Posts
Linqiang Pan and Telecommunications
Huazhong University of Science Beijing
and Technology China
Wuhan
China
Xingquan Zuo
Beijing University of Posts
and Telecommunications
Beijing
China
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721,
Singapore
Preface
Bio-inspired computing is a field of study that abstracts computing ideas (data struc-
tures, operations with data, ways to control operations, computing models, etc.) from
living phenomena or biological systems such as evolution, cells, tissues, neural net-
works, immune system, and ant colonies. Bio-Inspired Computing: Theories and
Applications (BIC-TA) is a series of conferences that aims to bring together researchers
working in the main areas of natural computing inspired from biology, for presenting
their recent results, exchanging ideas, and cooperating in a friendly framework.
Since 2006, the conference has taken place at Wuhan (2006), Zhengzhou (2007),
Adelaide (2008), Beijing (2009), Liverpool and Changsha (2010), Penang (2011),
Gwalior (2012), Huangshan (2013), Wuhan (2014), Hefei (2015), Xi’an (2016), and
Harbin (2017). Following the success of previous editions, the 13th International
Conference on Bio-Inspired Computing: Theories and Applications (BIC-TA 2018)
was organized by Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, during
November 2–4, 2018.
BIC-TA 2018 attracted a wide spectrum of interesting research papers on various
aspects of bio-inspired computing with a diverse range of theories and applications. In
all, 89 papers were selected for this volume of Communications in Computer and
Information Science.
We gratefully thank Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Huaz-
hong University of Science and Technology, the Operation Research Society of China,
and the Chinese Society of Optimization and Overall Planning and Economic Math-
ematics for extensive assistance in organizing the conference. We thank Tingfang Wu,
Lianghao Li, Di Zhang, Taosheng Zhang, and Wenting Xu for their help in collecting
the final files of the papers and editing the volume. We thank Xing Wan for his
contribution in maintaining the website of BIC-TA 2018 (http://2018.bicta.org/). Many
thanks are given to Hui Tong, Guangzhi Xu, Rui Li, Sai Guo, Min Chen, Jia Liu, Jiaqi
Chen, Shuai Feng, and Qing Xiong for their work in organizing the conference. We
also thank all the other volunteers, whose efforts ensured the smooth running of the
conference.
The editors warmly thank the Program Committee members for their prompt and
efficient support in reviewing and handling the papers. The warmest thanks should be
given to all the authors for submitting their interesting research work.
Special thanks are due to Springer for their skilled cooperation in the timely pro-
duction of these volumes.
Steering Committee
Guangzhao Cui Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, China
Kalyanmoy Deb Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India
Miki Hirabayashi National Institute of Information and Communications
Technology (NICT), Japan
Joshua Knowles University of Manchester, UK
Thom LaBean North Carolina State University, USA
Jiuyong Li University of South Australia, Australia
Kenli Li University of Hunan, China
Giancarlo Mauri Università di Milano-Bicocca, Italy
Yongli Mi Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
SAR China
Atulya K. Nagar Liverpool Hope University, UK
Linqiang Pan Huazhong University of Science and Technology,
China
Gheorghe Păun Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
Mario J. Pérez-Jiménez University of Seville, Spain
K. G. Subramanian Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Robinson Thamburaj Madras Christian College, India
Jin Xu Peking University, China
Hao Yan Arizona State University, USA
Program Committee
Muhammad Abulaish South Asian University, India
Chang Wook Ahn Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology,
Republic of Korea
Adel Al-Jumaily University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Junfeng Chen Hohai University, China
Wei-Neng Chen Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Tsung-Che Chiang National Taiwan Normal University, China
Shi Cheng Shaanxi Normal University, China
Bei Dong Shaanxi Normal University, China
Xin Du Fujian Normal University, China
Carlos Fernandez-Llatas Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain
Shangce Gao University of Toyama, Japan
Wenyin Gong China University of Geosciences, China
Shivaprasad Gundibail Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
Ping Guo Beijing Normal University, China
Yi-Nan Guo China University of Mining and Technology, China
VIII Organization
DNA Origami Based Computing Model for the Satisfiability Problem . . . . . . 151
Zhenqin Yang, Zhixiang Yin, Jianzhong Cui, and Jing Yang
An Improved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm and Its Taguchi Analysis . . . . 104
Yudong Ni, Yuanyuan Li, and Yindong Shen
XVI Contents – Part II
A Hybrid Model Based on K-EPF and DPIO for UAVs Target Detection . . . 316
Jinsong Chen, Lu Xiao, Jun Wang, Huan Liu, and Qianying Liu
1 Introduction
The establishment of a carbon emission trading system provides a market-
oriented means for countries around the world to implement low-carbon devel-
opment. China, as the world’s largest carbon emission country, is curbing the
greenhouse gas emissions with pragmatic actions. A carbon emissions trading
market is an effective policy tool for the Chinese government to control car-
bon emissions. China launched carbon emissions trading pilot markets in seven
provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Tian-
jin, Chongqing, and Hubei from 2011, and launched all online transactions in
2014. As of the end of 2017, China has fulfilled its emission reduction commit-
ments to the international community and completed the overall design of the
country’s carbon emissions trading system. National unified carbon emissions
c Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018
J. Qiao et al. (Eds.): BIC-TA 2018, CCIS 951, pp. 1–11, 2018.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2826-8_1
2 Y. Huang and H. Liu
trading market will gradually mature in the next few years and will play an
increasingly important role as a national policy adjustment platform in the area
of emission reduction in the next decade.
The key to building a carbon trading market is a scientific and reasonable
carbon price mechanism. However, Chinese carbon emissions trading market has
just been formed, resulting in unstable carbon price, irregular changes and the
more prominent market risk. Therefore, research on the carbon price forecast-
ing model will help reduce the risk of carbon price fluctuations and promote
the construction of China’s carbon trading market. It can better manage risk
to play the pricing function of the market, that is able to increase investment
expectations and reduce risks rationally. Improve the efficiency and liquidity of
the carbon market to lead the healthy development of the market.
Machine learning technology is increasingly being cited in the nonlinear and
non-stationary time series predictions. Zhu and Wei [1] constructed a carbon
price forecasting based on integration of group method of data handing (GMDH),
PSO and least squares support vector machines (LSSVM). Zhu [2] also proposed
a multiscale ensemble model, which is composed of empirical mode decomposi-
tion (EMD), genetic algorithm (GA) and artificial neural network (ANN) to
forecast carbon price in ECX. Gao and Li [3] set up an international carbon
financial market price error correction prediction model based on EMD, PSO and
SVM. Fan et al. [4] established a multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLP)
forecasting model to study the carbon price of EU EST from the perspective
of chaos. Jiang and Wu [5] built a model based on Support Vector Regression
(SVR) algorithm to predict international carbon market price. Sun et al. [6]
found that using variational mode decomposition (VMD) and spiking neural
networks (SNNS) to forecast the ICE carbon price can obtain a better empirical
test effect. Zhang et al. [7] advanced a hybrid approach integrating PSO and
multioutput support vector regression (MSVR) to forecast carbon prices. Jiang
and Peng [8] presented a carbon prices prediction model based on BP neural
network optimized by Chaos Particle Swarm Optimization (CPSO) algorithm.
In summary, neural network theory has shown good prediction ability in car-
bon price forecasting. RBF is a kind of neural network which is better than tradi-
tional neural network in time series prediction in terms of approximation ability,
classification ability and learning speed, etc. The structure of RBF is simpler,
and its training success rate is higher. Gu et al. [9] trained historical electricity
price by RBF neural network and hierarchical genetic algorithm (HGA), and
the test results are satisfactory. Zhang et al. [10] established a model to forecast
short-term load though combining the RBF neural network with the adaptive
neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). Coelho and Santos [11] found RBF neu-
ral network model with GARCH errors can show good results in application to
electricity price forecasting. Shen [12] chose RBF neural network optimized by
the artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) to forecast the stock indices. Cecati
et al. [13] designed new algorithm called ErrCor in machine learning to train
RBF for 24 h electric load prediction.
Forecasting Carbon Prices by PSO-RBF 3
RBF neural network has been successfully applied to time series prediction
and analysis. However due to the inherent characteristics of RBF neural net-
work can easily cause itself to fall into a local optimum. Furthermore, the center
number of RBF and the network’s weights extremely need to rely on past expe-
rience. If some optimization algorithm are adopted to overcome these defects,
the network performance will be further improved. Therefore, this paper uses
PSO to optimize RBF neural network and applies it to China’s carbon prices
prediction for the first time. Compared with the traditional forecasting model,
the PSO-RBF model is more suitable for China’s carbon prices prediction, thus
providing a simple, practical and accurate price prediction method for China’s
carbon trading market.
The rest of this paper is organized as follows: Sect. 2 describes the fundamen-
tals of RBF and PSO, then elaborates on the PSO-RBF model, Sect. 3 presents
the used dataset and obtained results, Sect. 4 concludes the study.
2 Methodology
2.1 RBF Neural Network
Radical Basis Function neural network (RBFNN) is a three-layer feedforward
neural network, which proposed by Moody and Darken [14] in the 1980s. The
input layer consists of the signal source nodes. The second layer is the hidden
layer, and the number of hidden units depends on the needs of the described
problem. The third layer is the output layer, which responds to the role of the
input mode. The general structure of an RBFNN is shown in Fig. 1.
X = (x1 , x2 , . . . , xm ) is an m-dimensional vector and W = (w1 , w2 , . . . , wn )
is the weight of output layer. gi (X), i = (1, 2, . . . , n) is Gaussian function selected
as activation function, where n means the number of neurons in hidden layer.
In gi (X) = gi (||X − Ci ||), Ci is the center of ith activation function, and || ∗ ||
is Euclid norm.
The output of the ith neuron in hidden layer of RBFNN can be represented
in the form.
||X − Ci ||2
qi = gi (||X − Ci ||) = exp − (1)
2σi2
σi is the width of the receptive field.
The activation of the output layer is linear combination of units on the hidden
layer, which can be expressed as:
n
y = i=1 wi qi (2)
The theoretical basis of RBFNN is that radial basis exists as a hidden base to
form the hidden layer space. So that the input vector can be directly mapped to
the hidden space, does not need to connect through the weight. According to the
Cover Theorem, the inseparable data in the low-dimensional space is more likely
to become separable in high-dimensional space. In other words, the function of
the hidden layer of the RBFNN is to map the input of the low-dimensional space
to a high-dimensional space through a non-linear function, and then to fit the
curve in this high-dimensional space. It is equivalent to finding a surface that
best fits the training data in an implied high-dimensional space, so that the
transition from the low dimension to the high dimension can be achieved. It can
be easily solved problems which cannot be solved in the low dimension in the
high-dimensional space.
Let the position and velocity of the ith particle in the n-dimensional
search space be respectively assumed as Pi = [pi,1 , pi,2 , . . . , pi,n ] and Vi =
[vi,1 , vi,2 , . . . , vi,n ]. According to a specific fitness function, the local best of the i
th particle cloud be Pil = pli,1 , pli,2 , . . . , pli,n , and P g = pg1 , pg2 , . . . , pgn is the global
best found. The new positions and velocities of the particles will be updated at
each iteration. This process follows the following two formulas.
Pi (k + 1) = Pi (k) + Vi (k + 1) (3)
The specific steps of adopting PSO to search the optimal values of the RBF
network parameters are as followed and the flow chart of RBF optimized by PSO
is demonstrated in Fig. 2.
Step 1. Define the number of particles, initialize their position and velocity.
Step 2. Calculate the fitness function to obtain the optimal value of each particle
and the global optimal value.
Step 3. Update each particle’s velocity and position.
Step 4. Recalculate its fitness and acquire the optimal value of each particle and
the global optimum value again.
Step 5. Determine whether the fitness reaches the minimum value. If not, loop
to step 3 until a criterion is met.
Finally, the optimal wi , σi and Ci are get to form a trained RBFNN to predict
the data of the testing set.
6 Y. Huang and H. Liu
Optimum w, c, σ
Output
Updating Pl and Pg
N Y
Terminal condition
This article mainly forecasts China’s carbon market transaction prices. As shown
in Fig. 3, Hubei’s carbon trading volume is the largest among seven carbon emis-
sion trading pilot markets in China (we do not consider carbon market in Fujian),
and its turnover is also the largest. The carbon trading pilot market in Shenzhen,
as the earliest carbon markets in China, has a certain significance in research.
Therefore, the daily average transaction prices (Data does not include holidays
and no trading days.) of the carbon trading pilot market in Hubei and Shenzhen
are selected as sample data, and details of samples are reported in Table 1. All
the data comes from the Wind database.
Fig. 3. The accumulated trading volume and turnover of carbon markets in China
As can be seen from Table 2, the carbon price of Hubei on the ith day is
predicted by the carbon prices of the (i − 1)th and (i − 2)th days as the input
variables of the model. Similarly, the carbon prices of the (i − 1)th, (i − 2)th and
(i − 3)th days are used as input variables to output the ith day’s carbon price
of Shenzhen.
8 Y. Huang and H. Liu
Table 2. Analysis of carbon prices data in Hubei and Shenzhen PACF results.
Set up RBF parameters by PSO algorithm and use samples of carbon prices
data to train the RBF network. In this research, Gaussian function is selected
as the radial basis function, and the number of hidden layer nodes is set as 15.
The input values are given by the data after dealing with by PACF. And the
parameters of the PSO algorithm are as follows: the number of particles is 1000,
and the learning factor is c1 = c2 = 2.
At the same time, the PSO-RBF model proposed in this article is compared
with using RBF and BPNN (there are 20 hidden nodes in BPNN) to predict the
carbon prices in Hubei and Shenzhen. The carbon price forecasting results for
Hubei and Shenzhen are shown in Figs. 6 and 7 below.
Fig. 6. Comparison of the Hubei’s carbon prices forecasting results between PSO-RBF,
RBF and BP
Forecasting Carbon Prices by PSO-RBF 9
Fig. 7. Comparison of the Shenzhen’s carbon prices forecasting results between PSO-
RBF, RBF and BP
Figures 6 and 7 reveal the carbon price prediction results for Hubei and Shenzhen
based on three different models, and it can be seen from the figures:
(a) Compared with a single model RBF or BPNN, the PSO-RBF model’s car-
bon price prediction results are closest to the true value, and the forecasting
results of RBF neural network is simultaneously better than BP neural net-
work.
(b) There is a large deviation between the RBF model’s individual prediction
results and the PSO-RBF model’s prediction results as well as the actual
values, indicating that PSO plays a positive role in the parameter optimiza-
tion of RBF.
4 Conclusion
Price forecasting of carbon market is of great significant, especially after China
launched the nation’s unified carbon emissions trading market in 2017, either for
the government or companies. A PSO-RBF neural network model is presented
and applied to prediction in this study. Set up a China’s carbon prices forecasting
model by comprehensive utilizing the self-learning ability of RBF network and
the optimized advantages of PSO. As shown in this research by the results of an
example of factual forecasting which is the prices of carbon market in Hubei and
Shenzhen, this forecasting model can work effectively and enhance the predicting
precision. Compared with RBF and BP neural network, the simulation results
evidence that the PSO-RBF model has stronger approximation ability, faster
convergence rate and higher forecasting accuracy.
As one of the largest suppliers of emission reduction markets, China’s annual
carbon trading volume will exceed 200 million tons in the next five years, and it
is expected to become the world’s largest market for carbon emissions trading.
At the same time, China’s carbon market transaction price may increase over
time in the future. The proposed PSO-RBF method can be further extended to
the future carbon price forecast for the nation’s unified carbon emissions trading
market in China.
References
1. Zhu, Z.B., Wei, Y.: Carbon price prediction based on integration of GMDH, particle
swarm optimization and least squares support vector machines. Syst. Eng.-Theory
Pract. 31(12), 2264–2271 (2011)
2. Zhu, B.: A novel multiscale ensemble carbon price prediction model integrating
empirical mode decomposition, genetic algorithm and artificial neural network.
Energies 5(2), 163–170 (2012)
3. Gao, Y., Li, J.: International carbon finance market price prediction based on
EMD-PSO-SVM error correction model. China Popul. Resour. Environ. 24, 163–
170 (2014)
4. Fan, X., Li, S., Tian, L.: Chaotic Characteristic Identification for Carbon Price
and an Multilayer Perceptron Network Prediction Model. Pergamon Press, Inc.,
Oxford (2015)
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5. Jiang, L., Wu, P.: International carbon market price forecasting using an integra-
tion model based on SVR. In: International Conference on Engineering Manage-
ment, Engineering Education and Information Technology (2015)
6. Sun, G., Chen, T., Wei, Z., Sun, Y., Zang, H., Chen, S.: A carbon price forecast-
ing model based on variational mode decomposition and spiking neural networks.
Energies 9(1), 54 (2016)
7. Zhang, L., Zhang, J., Xiong, T., Su, C.: Interval forecasting of carbon futures prices
using a novel hybrid approach with exogenous variables. Discrete Dyn. Nat. Soc.
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optimized by chaotic PSO algorithm. Stat. Inf. Forum (2018)
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ANFIS-based short-term load forecasting approach in real-time price environment.
IEEE Trans. Power Syst. 23(3), 853–858 (2008)
11. Coelho, L.D.S., Santos, A.A.P.: A RBF neural network model with GARCH errors:
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(2011)
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Based Syst. 24(3), 378–385 (2011)
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An Efficient Restart-Enhanced Genetic
Algorithm for the Coalition Formation
Problem
School of Automation,
State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Decision of Complex Systems,
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems,
Beijing Institute of Technology,
Beijing 100081, China
brucebin@bit.edu.cn
1 Introduction
Multi-Agent System (MAS) has become a hot research topic in artificial intel-
ligence, control science and other fields. Because of good robustness and high
efficiency, MAS has been widely applied to complex tasks such as multi-robot
cooperation, distributed monitoring network, emergency disaster rescue, etc. [1–
3]. In these complex missions, a single agent is obviously not enough to complete
the task, and multiple agents are required to collaboratively perform the task.
A group of agents with a common task is denoted by a coalition. How to select
a group of agents to form a coalition is defined as the coalition formation (CF)
problem which has become an important research in MAS and it was proved to
be an NP-hard problem [4].
c Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018
J. Qiao et al. (Eds.): BIC-TA 2018, CCIS 951, pp. 12–23, 2018.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2826-8_2
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to turn Mohammedan: they would give me camels, nákahs, slaves,
&c. I was at length obliged to silence them. After this came the
newspapers, out of which I made some extracts, which Abú read to
them in Arabic, and with which they were highly pleased. They
hoped the Sultán would persist in attacking the French: they said
that these districts could furnish, mount, and arm fifty thousand men;
but though they are fond of exaggeration, I think that twenty
thousand might be raised in this quarter. A man has come this day to
say, that he knows of two Christian slaves in the desert; they are
Spaniards. He wishes to know if I would buy them, or if the consul at
Suweïrah or Tangier would. After this, he asked me for some
medicines. I gave him a settler, by asking how he could come to me
a Christian, and ask for medicines, when he had taken these poor
Christians, and meant to sell them? Upon this, some words ensued;
to which the arrival of the Sheïkh put a stop. I told him to go to
Suweïrah, and asked how could he expect mercy, who shewed so
little to others? The heat very oppressive to-day. The Damánís were
right: the stolen horse did not go beyond the place they pointed out.
They have this day returned, having taken the thief, and his brother,
who had stolen three cows: they had ridden the horse to death. The
two brothers have made a pretty disclosure. They were sent by the
son of Sídí Hasan to murder Billah, a confidential servant of the
Sheïkh, who had left the service of Sídí Hasan, because the son of
the latter had violated the wife of Billah. If they could not kill Billah,
they were to seize and carry away his present wife, who is a pretty
woman; and, failing in that, they were to steal the Sheïkh’s favourite
horse, as a punishment for protecting Billah, who, with his wife,
escaped both the murder and abduction, and the Sheïkh’s horse fell
the sacrifice. For this pretty job the fellows were to have about three
shillings each. I hope the Sheikh will shoot them. At length the
Damánís have been to my rooms, and told me, that if no káfilah is to
go for some time, they will proceed with me. I like them much; they
are fine specimens of wild men, but not savages. A large party of
them came in the evening, and staid till one A.M., and only left me to
go and eat.
Saturday, June 26.—Therm. 82°. Symptoms of heat by the haze
over the mountains; spoke to the Sheïkh, and all appears to be
settled, but the main point is the money. If this is to be exorbitant, I
shall give up the thing at once. This question is to be arranged, when
Hájí Majíbí comes home. I fear I shall have a quarrel with that fellow
before I get off. The Sheïkh recommends the káfilah: I am aware it
would be the safer course, but I could not so well make notes and
observations, and should be bored to death for advice and
medicines during the whole road. If it goes soon, however, I shall join
it; if not, I shall proceed with my five or six people. Read the prayers;
most of the people here come to listen, although they could not
understand a word. The tribe of Ergebát[111] has sent a deputation to
the Sheïkh, and have this day been heard, and have explained the
cause of their attack upon the Taghakánths. The Sheïkh decided in
favour of the Ergebáts, and there is to be a reconciliation and
friendship. I must try to profit by this event, and get past the Ergebáts
before hostilities are renewed, which will be soon the case. The heat
has been oppressive to-day; I am rather glad of it, as it helps to
season me for the desert. Hope my party will not come this evening.
This is one of the great feasts amongst the Muselmáns; but it is not
kept here. The 12th of Safer is Mohammed’s birth-day. Went to rest
early, fearing my party would come.
Monday, June 27.—Therm. 86°. The heat has become very
oppressive. An express has arrived from Taghakánth, with a report
that the place has been attacked by the Ergebáts, who mustered
nine hundred men; while the Taghakánths, who were taken by
surprise, could bring together only three hundred to meet the enemy:
these, however, were sufficient to defeat their assailants, after killing
ninety of them, with a very trifling loss on their own part. This is bad
news for me, as we shall assuredly be attacked when passing the
district of the Ergebáts. The Damánís have set off in haste for their
place. Hájí Majíbí has returned; he is brought down considerably,
and came in a very humble manner to pay his respects: he is a
consummate scoundrel. Had a visit from Mas’úd, who wished to give
me a Tumbuktú quilt; but I can take no presents, and he left me in
dudgeon at my refusal. I dislike this man more and more. Things are
at last in a train; but I had a threatener this morning, having nearly
fallen two or three times, in consequence of the great heat and
excitement, and the immoderate use of tobacco. I shall try to leave
off the pipe, and begin reducing the quantity of fluid. Very weak tea
and water have been my only drink for more than three months; and
I must now leave off the tea. Attended the unpacking of the ivory:
some of the teeth are immense. Abú tells me, that I shall see some
as large rotting on dunghills; that the people about Kong live entirely
upon elephants, and are constantly employed in hunting them. The
small tusks are used for music; but from the want of means of
transport, the large ones are thrown away. Hámed has just been
here to take leave: he is a most grateful creature, and promises that
wherever I meet any people of his tribe, they will respect Ján and
Yaghá. He then said he had one more favour to ask: I had cured
him, and had given him too many things; but as he knew I could do
any thing, “I love,” said he, “the daughter of the brother of my father;
she is the prettiest woman in our tribe; I am dying for her; but she
does not love me, although I am the Sheïkh’s son, and shall be the
Sheïkh myself; give me such a charm, as shall force her to love me.”
It was in vain that I told him, I had no love-charm. He said that I had
given one to the son of the Sheïkh of Dar’ah, and that his wife had
come back to him. I had then to make up a story that I must see the
lady, and, as she is unmarried, fold the charm, while she looked on.
This he is convinced will prove effectual; and when I get to
Taghakánth I am to make him happy. I don’t know what he has
promised to do for me. My two guides remain here to make the
necessary arrangements about our start. I have been asked, if I will
fight, should we be attacked, and have had to give a specimen of my
ability to use a sword and pistols. My powder and ball, and every
thing else was approved of, and I am promised that all will be well;
but that I must make up my mind to some suffering; that they will
carry extra water for me, but one Samúm[112] may drink it all up. The
die is cast, and I must run the hazard.
Tuesday, June 28.—Mekkí died yesterday. This is the first death
since I have been here; and even this man might have been saved,
had he followed my advice. A large arrival of poor female slaves: I
was astonished at their spirits, especially when I saw the parting of
two sisters; they certainly have not the same feelings as the whites. I
am sorry to admit a point, which I have often strongly contested.
During the evening I was taken very ill, and compelled to lie down.
Wednesday, June 29.—Therm. 82°. Took calomel, Hunt’s pills,
&c., last night. Fainted away this morning, and had a great swimming
in the head, but wanted courage to bleed myself. I mean to try what
medicines and abstemiousness will do. Was very ill all day: took my
carpet to the garden, where I passed a few quiet hours; went early to
bed. The heat very oppressive.
Thursday, June 30.—Therm. 82°. Hazy and lowering. This
morning another arrival from Taghakánth. A small party from Súdán
has likewise been attacked. This last party confirms the news of the
attack on Taghakánth, and brings intelligence that many of the
Taghakánths have been killed. My room has been stormed by these
fresh arrivals. I am sick to death of them, and have been poisoned
by their stench. It is impossible to help myself, and the Sheïkh dare
not say a word to them. The courier has arrived, and brought most
satisfactory letters from Lord Glenelg, Mr. Hay, Mr. Willshire, &c. Had
a party in the evening. All were anxious to see the King’s letter.
Being much delighted, I staid up till two A.M. writing.
Friday, July 1.—Therm. 84°. The Damání crowd is off, and now
comes the settling question. I saw at once that extortion was
intended; but I cannot get Abú to act or speak with any force. They
want two months to prepare. Asked at first 2,300 dollars; after much
wrangling they came down to 1,500: this, added to the extravagant
sum demanded by the Sheïkh, is more than I can venture to give,
without the sanction of Mr. Willshire. I have written to him to know
how I am to act. That same villain, Majíbí, who has already robbed
me of 320 ducats, is at the bottom of all this. I hold a threat over
them, that I have another way open. I now learn, that a report has
got abroad of my being one of the royal family of England; that I
have plenty of money, and that the people of Sús intend making me
pay a larger sum for permission to return. We have counted too
much on the Sheïkh. This has quite upset me.
Saturday, July 2.—Therm. 84°. Lots of wounded. The trouble I
have in persuading these people that all cannot bear the same
quantity of medicine, is quite provoking. I have made up some
bread-pills to complete the number, where one would require three,
and another only two. The Damánís have dropt to one thousand
dollars, but I have refused to give an answer till I hear from Mr.
Willshire. I sent to inquire about the two Christian Spaniards, who
are in the desert. Wrote to Lord Palmerston, at Sheïkh Beïrúk’s
request, and to Lord Glenelg, Thom, and G. Dodd. Sat up till day-
light, having to dispatch my courier early. Laid down just as the sun
was rising.
Sunday, July 3.—Therm. 82°. The Sheïkh came to me as soon as
I had laid myself down. He told me that the Damánís were under an
idea that I was a person of great consequence, and have large sums
at my command; and that they have only to ask and receive. He said
that as I should be obliged to pay the one thousand dollars to get on
either way, I had better make up my mind to it; that he must admit his
own agent had played the rascal, for he had not expended the sum
he claims; but as he has received the money from the consul, there
is, I fear, little chance of getting any of it back again. Wrote to his
Royal Highness, Lord Glenelg, Mr. Hay, &c. Sent for my double-
barrelled pistols, but forgot the spectacles. Sent to Mr. Hay for some
knives and other things from Gibraltar. Read the prayers, and took to
my carpet early, as I had been up two nights.
Monday, July 4.—Therm. 84°. Symptoms of great heat. Received
a large present of Kermesú Nasárá, (fig of the Christians) and the
prickly pear, (called Tagharnúp by the Berbers); they came very
acceptably: there were also a few half-ripe pears and some apricots;
I am afraid of fruit, but ate some of the first. The Damánís are very
anxious for my answer. The Sheïkh Mohammed Múlid tells him, he
will make an oath AHAD .................. that he will conduct me in safety
to Tumbuktú and Jennah, and that he will obtain for me whatever I
want from Hámed Libbú. I like this man; but have been so often
disappointed, that I have some fear of eventually changing my
opinion. He is more frank and open, and more like the man of his
word, than any I have seen since I set my foot in Africa. Had great
fun with the Taghakánth people, giving them some imitations of
character. We are all friends. I was struck with the quiet and happy
state of the slaves lately arrived here, who say they would not accept
their liberty on condition of having to cross again the desert. This
gives me a fearful idea of it; but I will try it.
Tuesday, July 5.—Therm. 84°. The Sheïkh Mohammed Múlid
came to make his AHAD oath, that he would protect me, and do all
in his power for me. Wrote to Mr. Willshire all particulars (of the
information I had received), and likewise told him that Mons.
Anthoine D’Abbadie intended to start from Tunis. Four slaves are
here from Kóng, who have told Abú that his cousin and school-fellow
Kutúk the warrior, is now the king of Kóng, and that his power
extends to Ashantí. An Arab from some distance came in to-day with
some savage-looking wretches: I was sitting or rather lying on the
ground writing: I sent them off in a hurry; but was afterwards told that
the Arab was a great Sheïkh, who, having heard of the arrival of a
great Christian Sheïkh, had come to pay me a visit. On his return I
told him that he ought to have taken off his slippers; he made a fair
apology: I then asked him to sit down; when he said that he had
heard of a Christian who could tell by a little magic thing, where any
place in the world lay; but that he could not believe the story, and
had therefore come to ask me about it. I humoured the man, and got
out my pocket compass, and told him to question me; when I told
him where each place was, and the number of days, which I had
already learnt, between any two or more places. He then stated, that
he had heard that I walked half the day and half the night, and was
never tired. Is that true? said he; to which when I replied in the
affirmative, he asked to inspect my feet, and after counting my toes,
he told his companions that I had only five on each foot: he then
examined the knee-pan and cried out Wáhed aëdá, ‘only one;’ then
taking me by the hand, he praised the prophet. From this, as usual,
he asked to see every thing, when I had to open boxes, &c., and
could hardly get him and his party away: he then asked for a
present; a little tobacco did here, but as he is coming again to-
morrow, (it will not be so easy to satisfy him). I learnt a good deal
from Tayyeb about Tumbuktú; he says that it contains sixteen
mosques, of which Sídí ’Alís is the largest; that it takes two hours to
go round the city, which now reaches to Kabrah; and that has a
village contiguous to it on the north; that in these countries people
walk but little: that its markets are now better than those of Jennah;
and that people come to it from all quarters. He states also that
Lamdo Lillahi[113] stands on the river, whereas the map makes it
appear twenty miles to the east. He lived till he was thirteen years
old at Tumbuktú, and has been here more than two years: he knows
more than most persons of his age; but is a great scamp. His mother
is one of Hámed Libbú’s family, and I therefore put up with many of
his rogueries. The heat has been very trying to-day.
Wednesday, July 6.—Therm. 84°. At eleven A.M. the town was
alarmed by the report that all the Sheïkh’s camels had been stolen.
All the people mounted, and set off armed: even the women went out
of the town on the road to Agadír, to see what was going on. At two
P.M. most of the people returned: the report was only partially true. A
few had been stolen, but the direction they had taken was known.
Mohammed Sierra mounted my horse, and with two others went to
get a reinforcement on the road. The reports about the great power
of the Sheïkh, are all moonshine: it is in reality nothing. During my
stay here, I have seen much of the African Arabs; they differ greatly
from the Asiatic: they are more wild in their appearance, but far more
cultivated: nearly all of them can read, and a great many can write. I
have been much pressed about giving my answer as to going on. I
must wait one week more; although I fear that the two months will
have elapsed from the time of deciding. Am very anxious for the
villain Majíbí and his party to leave me; I cannot bear the sight of that
fellow, ever since I was convinced of his roguery. Am in some
anxiety about my gold watch, as the Thillahs have stripped the last
couriers that passed through Sús. This Majíbí’s villainy is capable of
any thing. I gave him a rub this morning, and if I had only protection
here, I would give him the stick.
Thursday, July 7.—Therm. 76°. Had a large party to dinner to day,
as the Sheïkh had killed a cow. These beasts have come to feast on
the entrails, which they prefer to the meat; on being asked what we
did with them, I told them to their utter dismay, that we gave them to
the common dogs, as well-bred ones would not touch them. Had
some of the meat sent me, but it was not very palatable. I received
likewise a present of unripe pears; for these people will not permit
the fruit to ripen. At one P.M. about thirty of the tribe of Assereit
Terjmert arrived here: they are worse than any I have seen as yet:
had a row with them. The Sheïkh and all his people, who are
evidently afraid of being asked for something by all new-comers,
slink away, and leave me alone with every fresh batch of vagabonds:
I told them my mind as well as I could, and then scolded them in
English. At night the Aboudah Ich Saabi came, as it was expected,
on a conference relative to this quarrel; but as it turned out, they only
came to gorge: a cow is not killed every day. There is a report, that
two hundred horse will be here to-morrow, with what truth, time will
show. Am happy to hear that the beasts from Mogador are to go
back on Monday next.
Friday, July 8.—Therm. 82°. Felt poorly all day. Dies non.
Saturday, July 9.—Therm. 82°. All are busy to-day in preparing for
the káfilah, which is to start for Suweïrah on Monday. Feel far from
well. Went to the medicine chest: but find that the least dose
disagrees with me. Renewed rumours of wars. The Damánís are
anxious for my answer, and I am equally anxious to give one. I know
not how things will go on. Am sick of the whole affair, and feel a
presentiment that it will be a failure.
Sunday, July 10°.—Therm. 82. Read prayers. The weather is
heavy and sultry. This has proved one of the most trying days for the
constitution, as the excessive heat has been succeeded by a very
cold wind in the evening, and this followed by a most sultry night. All
the people are fully occupied in preparing for the káfilah, which is to
start to-morrow morning with ivory, gum, &c.; I find that the ivory sells
here at seventy mitcal the canter, while at Mogador it brings sixty
dollars: the quantity of it is enormous. Felt very poorly all day, and
did not go out.
Monday, July 11.—Therm. 84°. All has been bustle to-day. The
káfilah had hardly started, when the two hundred horse arrived. They
came to hold a conference about going to war with a neighbouring
tribe, as one of the Sheïkh’s friends had been killed by a Marabout of
that people: after a long consultation, it was agreed, that as the
Marabout was non compos, there could be no intention of an insult,
and thus instead of a fight we had a feast. The Damánís are
preparing to be off, as my answer is expected to-morrow. I fear I
must give all the money: it is an anxious time for me. There is a great
talk about my long stay, and some of the Shilhah[114] people are not
over civil. The Sheïkh, poor man, is desirous to pay me every
attention; but he is fearful of enforcing a proper authority over these
people. Money is his curse, and he is avarice personified. The heat
is excessive.
Tuesday, July 12.—Therm. 84°. The heat is beyond every thing
to-day; the sun literally scorches: all are gasping. The slaves are
lying about. The Arabs say, that in the Sahrá on such a day, twenty
draughts of water would not quench the thirst. It is one of the hot
winds. I have been walking for more than two hours to the
astonishment of the natives. Evening came, but no post. The heat
still tremendous. I have been drinking tea for more than an hour, and
am still thirsty. Sent out again respecting the Spanish slaves: hope to
get the poor fellows. There has been a slight quarrel between the
Sheïkh and his son; but matters are, I suppose, now made up, as the
son came to pray in his father’s room. Some ostrich marrow was
sent to me to purchase, but I will not buy it without some eggs.
Patients are beginning to be troublesome again. I feel myself
somewhat better than yesterday.
Wednesday, July 13.—Therm. 86°. Symptoms of summer. Am
looking most anxiously for the post. The Damánís have all left,
except Mohammed and Hámed, who are waiting for Mr. Willshire’s
answer. I gave them a present which cost me thirty-nine ducats: they
were highly pleased, and so was the Sheïkh. At three P.M. the
thermometer under the colonnade was at 100°, and though there is a
breeze, the sun is scorching. All are done up. As there was no post, I
was in very bad spirits, and went early to rest: hope to get a little
sleep.
Thursday, July 14.—Therm. 84°. To-day all are done up and out of
temper, with the exception of Abú. The heat is excessive; we are all
stripped to our shirts. Evening brought a cooling breeze, and this
brought back our spirits. I was obliged to lie down early, oozing at
every pore. Despite my little food, and the great heat, have picked up
most of my lost flesh. Am in great anxiety for the post; it has not
arrived to-day; if it does not come to-morrow, I shall suspect
something has gone wrong.
Friday, July 15.—Therm. 84°. Dies non. Out of health, spirits and
temper. No post.
Saturday, July 16.—Therm. 84°. Felt very poorly; kept my bed.
Getting out of all patience, as no post has arrived. Am in great
anxiety about my watch and letters from England. All this is owing to
the villain Majíbí.
Sunday, July 17.—Therm. 86°. Passed a bad night: was up early
and went out to bathe. Read the prayers. Was in hopes of the post
arriving at the usual time: disappointed. Sent Abú to the market, who
brought nothing I could eat; there was no fruit or vegetables. I cannot
manage the kuskusú. Received a present of six bunches of grapes
from a poor slave boy, to whom I had given some medicines; he had
walked out to meet the people coming to market, and had bought all
they had. Sent a present of a loaf of sugar to the beautiful Jewess by
Abú, together with three bunches of the grapes, to ask if she could
make me a pie; for which there is no name in Arabic. I cannot go to
the Leïlá myself, but have been promised something as near to
Abú’s directions as she can make it. I would have done it at home,
but Abú is a bad cook. As the grapes were very sour, I mashed up
two bunches with milk and sugar, and fancied it gooseberry-fool;
contrived, however, to make a meal of it; the only one I have had for
many days. I intended to take a ride, but the heat was greater than I
had ever felt. At two P.M. the thermometer in the sun was at 141°. It
fell one degree at a quarter-past three P.M. and did not sink below
138° till half-past five P.M. I was obliged to cover the stirrups and
kummiyahs,[115] and all metal articles, with pieces of háïk: the
stirrups were too hot to be handled. The horses and cattle are all
suffering; yet there is a strong wind from the N.W., but it is blowing
fire. Mohammed tells me that on the E. of the mountains, which shut
out this wind, it is impossible to face the hot wind. All here are
astonished at my being able to stand it; there is no fear of me; I am
living too low to take any harm. My fear is not that my stomach will
go, but my head. Still no post. All are in anxiety. A cold current of air
is passing over us. At nine P.M. the moon and stars are shooting with
a peculiar glare, such as I have often witnessed here after great
heat. At ten P.M. the heat returned, and nearly suffocated us. I dread
the night—being half destroyed by the vermin. Am very anxious for
to-morrow.
Monday, July 18.—Therm. 86°. Rose early and went out. There
was more wind than yesterday. It feels cooler, but promises to be a
hot day. Conceiving I might be mistaken, while reading “Hints on
various Sciences,” p. 166, I took three thermometers, and
suspended one six feet from the ground, but exposed to the air and
sun, at the distance of six feet from the wall, into which a pole had
been driven, from which it hung perpendicularly. At twelve this had
reached to 115° Fahrenheit. I then laid a second on a mat, exposed
to the sun; and this rose to 138°. The third I placed erect on the box
of the thermometer, which rested on the sand, and was propped up
by a piece of stick. This last rose to 126°. After they had been
exposed about a quarter of an hour, the three gave the following
results:—