effected tragedy, then taking some tea out of the box, I desired Ali to boil some water, with which I made a cup of tea, and, sweetening it very much, went to the sick lad, whom I raised, and encouraged him to. drink off that better medicine. After a little struggle he tasted it, when he exclaimed, "Oh! I did not know how good and how sweet it was.' Just then his master entered, and asked with an austere voice, what he was drinking?" The boy replied, "Iakauagia Jusef's medicine." Then the man took the cup from the poor Nubian's hands, and tasting it, exclaimed, "It is sciai," (tea), and he finished it. I was agonised at his insolence, and my blood boiled in my veins. I nearly snatched the cup from him to strike him in the face with it, but Patience's holy force restrained me, and I said to myself, "No, Jusef, don't grieve your friend." So instead, I occupied myself with covering up the boy, and told him to keep himself covered during the night. After this, I withdrew, thanking God that I had preserved my temper. The cawas remained, threatening the boy with I know not what. I now inquired of my internal friend patience if I might not relieve myself a little, time and cause being both appropriate; obtaining permission, I awaited the cawas; in a short time he came out, and was met by me.

"You Turks," said I, "are Aulad Clab (sons of dogs), you have a heart as hard as a flintstone, and are always cruel; don't you know that the poor lad is

quite overcome with fever and is about to die, and yet you shout most brutally at him? and you dishearten him? If I ever hear you again frightening him, I will send you back immediately." "Oh, Iakauagia Jusef,”—he began. “You think, perhaps, I am good natured; I try to be so to the good; but I am severe with villains and tyrants like you." He, with all the weighty dignity of malevolent pride, with which he was covered, became pale and dumb. I left him and went into the hut, to take precautions against the whirlwind which was approaching. It had already burst forth, and the wind roared as hot as ever, burying the baggage in sand, and almost overwhelming the huts. The sky became very dark, frequent flashes of lightning dazzling our sight, and the thunder rattling along, making the whole Desert tremble; a black vapour overshadowed everything, and confused cries from all rational and irrational creatures resounded through the village. We had just closed the door of the hut when the rain began; and downright rain it was! After half an hour it became calm, and the sky, which a little before had been all black, hurling thunder and lightning about, was now smiling and serene; the young moon spread its faint light over the solitude, the small milky clouds passing below, as if to contrast with its beauty, the stars seemed to be falling so great was their brilliancy, and night took her dominion in the midst of peace. We tranquilly enjoyed for some time this view almost equalling paradise, and

praised the heavenly master for all his marvellous works; and thanking him for endowing man, with a capability of perceiving and enjoying beautiful objects, we went to sleep.

At five a.m. of the second instant we arose, and the camels being loaded, we set off, escorted by a man of the Holla, until we got into the direct road. We went on with rapid steps till eleven a.m., when we stopped under a tree of sant, and in a short time our stomachs as well as other members, were much refreshed. Going hither and thither we had not perceived that the thick grass, called ascarit, amongst which we walked, had attached itself to our clothes and mats. I went from where we were resting to the cawas, to see how the poor lad was. I found him better. As I was returning I perceived myself beset with the ascarit. My trousers were almost covered, and I scratched myself in attempting to take it off, for it was like a bean covered with small thorns. I laughed at myself, and still more at the captain, who being dressed in flannel, was quite covered with ascarit; nor was it an easy matter to take it off, especially from the flannel. Having this lesson, I immediately took out of the box some straps of leather gaiters, which I had brought from London for similar circumstances, and I wound them from my feet to my knees, so as to defend myself from the ascarit. Hardly had I finished when my dromedary knelt before me, and mounting we resumed our course at two p.m., the thermometer was

105°. Amongst the trees of sant, I saw several "Hagilid" trees, mentioned in a preceding chapter. I observed also a few trees of "Sedr." This tree resembles the "Berry" tree, and the fruit looks and tastes the same. At half-past four, we reached a small pond in this part of the Desert, where we dismounted for the night.

CHAPTER XXIII.

HALT AT THE POND, AND DEPARTURE ON THE THIRD FOR TENDAR.

We

THE pond was called Bir-Halba, ("Bir," means a well, and "halba" a white mare with long hair, and is rather an elegant Arabic word.) The Arabs did not know the meaning of it till I explained it. It is properly a little pond or cistern,-not a well. found other Arabs and Sud (Negroes) stationed there coming from Lobaied to Abucrat. After ordering some rice to be prepared, we went to examine the water of the pond, which we found loathsome and repulsive; we took some of it up in a piece of gourd, which the Arabs use as cups (all the Sud call it caraa, or gourd), and found it green, full of vermin and insects, with a horrible smell. Nevertheless, the Arabs, Suds, cattle, and numerous gazelles were delighted with having it, and drank it as if it had been the purest and best in the world. All the animals and their masters, if one may call them so, come here to quench their thirst. Water remains here for three and, in some years, four months. Leaving this agreeable spot we found the dinner ready, and with it

M