persons of more science and ability than myself, I did not attempt to search for any inscriptions. My short visit, however, afforded me much gratification, and I returned to the track of my companions, whom I came up with at seven, having travelled north-north-west thirty miles. Wednesday, March 22nd.—I found myself much better. Fine morning. 'At seven we pursued our course over mountains covered with verdure, and' at nine came to a Roman well standing at the foot o f an old castle, which appeared to have an arched communication with it, to be used in time of war. This well was in a narrow deep ravine, which the castle commanded. We found the old Turk and his slaves waiting for us at the well ; they had gone past , us in the dark. The old man was in great wrath; some thieves having come in the night and robbed him of five hundred weight or a camel load of dates:, suspecting his own hungry Arabs, he had ordered them to lie at a distance from the sacks. They told him they would pray to God that he might suffer for his suspicion ; and were therefore not sorry to see him so soon punished for it. Some Bedouins among the rocks in the pass were the robbers; one of his Negresses saw them in the act, but feared to wake her master, because he once beat her for disturbing him while asleep. When the old man related to me his misfortune, I gave him no consolation, but said I admired the ingenuity of The thieves; and all our Arabs tauntingly told him that he had now paid his footing. We passed many fine corn-fields, and several enclosures with vines and figs, apparently very flourishing. Many large flocks were feeding On the plains. A t three we stopped, one of Hadje Mohammed’s camels having fallen from weakness. Lizari's, Maherry followed his example, on which he sent the Arabs, back to kill the animal, and they brought, the meat to the KafH6, portioning it out to all. Many hints were given me that I ought to kill my lame animal, but I would not understand them, as I thought he might still be serviceable to me. Several Arab wanderers came to partake of our feast; and we were obliged, when it grew dark, to give warning that any stranger seen walking near the Kaffl6 would be fired at. One' of the Sheikhs, who had flocks near us, sent us some oranges, which we devoured, rind and all, in a moment. Our road had been so very circuitous that I could not be accurate as to the bearings, but as near as I could judge we had gone west-north-west eighteen miles. I was so ill on our march this morning as to be under the necessity of stopping with the camel I rode, and lying on the ground, an Arab remaining with me. I was seized with such violent trembling, that the man was obliged for some time to sit on and hold me down to prevent- my injuring myself. I suffered much agony, and the most intolerable thirst; to assuage which the kind Arab went about two miles back on his road to bring me water. He was so long absent, that I began to despair of his return; my fever each moment increased, and my thirst, in consequence, became so excessive, that observing my camel, which was at a little distance from me, making water, I resolved to attempt reaching him, and endeavouring to avail myself of a resource, which, under any other circumstances, would have filled me with disgust. Weak and exhausted as I was, and with no alternative but to drink, or, as I thought, to expire, I was about to catch and swallow the nauseous draught, when, at that moment, I perceived my trusty Arab ascending a hill, and advancing towards me. Those only who have experienced the agonies of suspense, or the torments of parching thirst, can conceive my sensations when he joined me, bringing the wished-for beverage; which, after all, was only dirty water in a goatskin, but which I thought delicious, and drank with delight and x x 2
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