CHAPTER II.
SECTION I.
Aiigila, to the Confines of Temissa.
S oo n after our arrival at Augila, a man was sent off by the chief
of the caravan to examine the watering-places as far the borders of
the kingdom of F e z z a n . This precaution became necessary from
the increased number of people and camels, now forming this great
caravan, and the possibility that, from want of rain or other causes,
the springs on the usual route might not afford sufficient water for
so large a body. The messenger being ordered to use the utmost
dispatch, returned on the twelfth day with the happy intelligence,
that water was in plenty, and that he met with nothing to impede
our journey.
Accordingly, the 27th of October was the day fixed for our departure
from Augila, and myself and party quitted the town the preceding
evening, and encamped in the open air, to be among the first
at the breaking up and movement of the caravan. The next morning
we set out before sunrise, and proceeded in a direction west by
south. Our caravan was increased by companies of merchants from
Bengasi, Merote, and Mojabra, in all about 120 men. Many of the
inhabitants of Augila and Fallo, accompanied us part of the way,
and, as a mark of honour and attention, pranced their horses and
fired their muskets round us. This party had scarcely taken their
leave, when an Arab riding to us in haste, gave information, that we
were pursued by a large body of horse, and that they were even
then close upon our rear. On this intelligence the camels were immediately
driven by the slaves and boys to a rising ground, and
those who had arms mustered to cover the retreat, and prevent the
enemy’s irruption and pillage. At the moment we were preparing
for action, we were happily undeceived. The horsemen were troops
of the Bey of Bengasi (then resident at Augila as I before mentioned),
and who, hearing the complimentary discharge of firelocks by the
friends who had just left us, thought we might have been attacked,
and came out to our assistance.
We now resumed our march, and continued it till sunset, each
boasting of his prowess, and what feats of arms he had before done,
and what he would have done had the Bey’s troops been hostile.
The evening we encamped in the open Desert, on a spot devoid
of water, and so completely barren, that not even a single blade of
herb for our Camels was to be found, and we were obliged to feed
them with what provender we had with us.
On the second day we advanced for twelve hours through the
Desert; the plain consisting of soft limestone, sometimes bare, but
more frequently covered with quicksand.
On the morning of the third day, the scene somewhat altered;
detached hills rose here and there, taking from the uniformity of
the before level desert. These mounds seemed to derive their origin
from a base of calcareous rock, found, and on which the sands had
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