lso
knew the direction which I must take. The day had nearly closed, and I
resolved to make the attempt.

As the sun disappeared, I rose, and with the skin of water on my back
proceeded on my hopeless journey. I walked the whole of that night, and,
by break of day, I imagined that I must have made about half the
progress of a caravan; I had, therefore, still a day to pass in the
desert, without any protection from the consuming heat, and then another
night of toil. Although I had sufficient water, I had no food. When the
sun rose, I sat down upon a hillock of burning sand, to be exposed to
his rays for twelve everlasting hours. Before the hour of noon arrived,
my brain became heated--I nearly lost my reason. My vision was
imperfect, or rather I saw what did not exist. At one time lakes of
water presented themselves to my eager eyes; and so certain was I of
their existence, that I rose and staggered till I was exhausted in
pursuit of them. At another, I beheld trees at a distance, and could see
the acacias waving in the breeze; I hastened to throw myself under their
shade, and arrived at some small shrub, which had thus been magnified.

So was I tormented and deceived during the whole of that dreadful day,
which still haunts me in my dreams. At last the night closed in, and the
stars as they lighted up, warned me that I might continue my journey. I
drank plentifully from my water-skin, and recommenced my solitary way. I
followed the track marked out by the bones of camels and horses of
former caravans which had perished in the desert, and when the day
dawned, I perceived the castle of Akaba at a short distance. Inspired
with new life, I threw away the water-skin, redoubled my speed, and in
half an hour had thrown myself down by the side of the fountain from
which I had previously imbibed large draughts of the refreshing fluid.
What happiness was then mine! How heavenly, to lay under the shade,
breathing the cool air, listening to the warbling of the birds, and
inhaling the perfume of the flowers, which luxuriated on that delightful
spot! After an hour I stripped, bathed myself, and, taking another
draught of water, fell into a sound sleep.

I awoke refreshed, but suffering under the cravings of hunger, which now
assailed me. I had been three days without food; but hitherto I had not
felt the want of it, as my more importunate thirst had overcome the
sensation. Now that the greater evil had been removed, the lesser
inc