this dark region into an extensive plain. Here we continued on
march for some hours, when we came to ranges of low calcareous
mountains, and about sunset encamped at the entrance of the defile
which leads through them.
On the morning of the fifteenth I placed myself among the foremost
of the caravan, consisting chiefly of poor pilgrims, hastening
to precede the other company, with a view of first quenching their
thirst at the spring, which on that day we were to arrive at. On
coming to the watering-place I perceived a well already cleaned
and in order, and several Twaters lying round. I placed myself
near and prepared for breakfast. An old man had laboured a
shorter cut across the sand to be sooner at the well; after mutual
salutation, I offered him a handful of dates and some meat; these
he thankfully accepted, kissing them and rubbing them on his
forehead. Putting the provisions down on the ground, he got to
the spring, and continued drinking for a considerable time, and
recited his prayer Elham-Dulillah with great devotion. He told
me, that for three days past he had been without his requisite portion
of water. This man (as himself told me), was above sixty
years old; and this was his third voyage from Fez to Mecca, without
possessing the least means of accommodation for the journey;
without preparation of food for his subsistence; nay, even without
water, excepting what commiseration and the esteem in which his
pilgrimage was held, might procure for him, from the charity and
regard of travellers better provided in the caravan.
We reposed the rest of the day on this spot, distant from our
last encampment four hours march, and our chief dispatched a messenger
to Mourzouk, to give notice of arrival of the caravan on the
frontier of the kingdom, and to bear a letter o f respect to the sultan
from each merchant individually.
And now, on the sixteenth, (dating by our departure from
Augila), we came again to the society of men: a march of nine
hours bringing us to Temissa, situated: within the territory of
Fezzan.