to find him. He
could not move a step towards them. On seeing his deliverers, he could
just muster strength to say, "Water, water!" He had finished the small
supply he had taken with him the day before at noon, and had from that
time suffered the most horrible tortures from thirst. He had even drunk
his own blood! Twenty-eight hours, without water in the Sahara! Our
people could scarcely at first credit that he was alive; for their
saying is, that no one can live more than twelve hours when lost in the
desert during the heats of summer.

Dr. Barth was now brought back to the camp. He had still a supply of
biscuit and dates with him; but eating only aggravates the torture of
thirst. Moist food is fitter to carry on such occasions. We found rum
very useful in restoring his health.

_17th._--The Doctor, being of robust constitution, was well enough this
day to mount his camel, and proceed with the caravan. We advanced about
seven hours, and then encamped. To-morrow, a ride of a couple of hours
will take us into Ghat.

CHAPTER X.

Approach Ghat--Description of the Town--The Oasis--Reminiscences of a
former Visit--Azgher Tuaricks--The Governor--Political Authority--The
Sheikhs--Protection of Strangers--The Litham--Business--Reception--Meetings
of Sheikhs--Disputes--Tax on liberated Slaves--Extortion practised on
us--Discussion on the Treaty--Scramble for Presents--Haj Ahmed
disinterested--Hateetah plays double--More Presents and further
Annoyances--Mahommed Kafa--Escort of Kailouees--A Visit from Ouweek and
the Bandit of Ghadamez--Observations on the Treaty--Collection of
Dialogues--The Great Exhibition.

We were up early on the morning of the 18th, and prepared to make our
official approach to the town of Ghat, which was now distant only two
hours. I had already visited the place, and was familiar with its
aspect; but must introduce a few words of description for the sake of
the reader of the present narrative. Ghat is situated on the spur of a
lofty hill, which overlooks it from the north. It is surrounded by
miserable walls not more than ten feet high, pierced by six weak gates.
The houses are not whitewashed, like those of Moorish towns, but retain
the dirty hue of the unburnt brick and mud with which they are built. A
single minaret worthy the name, and one large building used as a general
lodging-house, rise above the flat roofs of the rest of the town. Some
few palm-trees bend gracefully here and there;