through
the caravan, as we reach at length our camping-ground, and throw
ourselves at full-length under the pleasing shade. Even the
camel-drivers were so fatigued, that they stretched out as soon as the
command to halt was given, and let their animals stray at will, without
taking the trouble to unload them. I had observed the same supineness
during our halts all through this trying district, which seems to
oppress their imaginations as well as prostrate their bodies. Several
times I had been obliged myself to collect wood and make a fire to rally
our lagging servants. Indeed, on more than one occasion I was compelled
to exert my personal authority. On the third night, particularly, I
wished all the people to rest one hour. The camel-drivers resisted this
reasonable request, and were backed by Yusuf. When it became a question
between myself and my interpreter, I jumped off my camel and stopped the
caravan. The chaouch supported me, and in this case at least behaved
very well. If we had continued all night, we should have made a march of
sixteen hours,--too much for the blacks, and indeed for any man on his
feet.

On the whole, however, I have to observe, that as we approach Fezzan our
camel-drivers are getting more civil and obliging. Is this the genial
effect of native air, or expectation of a present? They have not
mentioned the latter subject yet, but, on the contrary, promise me some
dates.

The broad valley of El-Hasee is sandy, like all those of Fezzan. It is
bounded on the north by the perpendicular buttresses of the Hamadah, and
on the south by sandy swells. The well is not copious, but affords a
regular supply of slightly brackish water. The people descend to the
bottom, thirty or forty feet, and fill their gerbahs. The blacks are
very troublesome, and require a good deal of patience. This morning they
would not fetch water from this well, although quite close by the tent.
I was obliged to threaten to leave them before I could get them to move.
They are, probably, a little broken down by the fatigue of the Hamadah.

We passed through Wady El-Hasee on the 24th, and after mid-day began to
ascend, and continued to do so until we pitched tent at half-past four,
at a place called Esfar. This is also a species of plateau, but consists
of sand-hills, sandstone rocks, and shallow valleys filled with herbage
and shrubs. I was glad to get rid of the eternal limestone and have a
change of the sandstone.

On the 25t