We must have reached a
considerable elevation.

I begin to find it necessary to keep a tight rein over our servants,
otherwise our encampment and party would always be in disorder. Mohammed
Tunisee is a very impertinent fellow at times, and is capable of
spoiling all the others. This evening I gave the Kailouees and their
servants a treat of coffee, which much delighted them. Amongst the rest
was En-Noor's servant. We get on very well with them for the present.

_30th._--We made five hours of very difficult road, winding nearly all
the way through a ravine of the rocky plateau, and finally descended by
a precipitous path, among some rocks, to a small lake or pool enclosed
within immense cliffs of rock, called the Egheree Water. It is produced
solely by rain. Within ten minutes of this, between the cliffs, is
another three times the size, and of the same origin. All about,
moreover, there are little pools of water sparkling amongst the rocks,
left by the recent rain. We encamped in a narrow wady, called Ajunjer,
further on; and propose to remain during the rest of the day and
to-morrow. It has been cool to-day, with wind; the sky clear, of a deep
blue. In the rocky valley we observed a species of hedge-thorn, called
jad[=a]ree; also many of the fine large-leafed plants, called baranbakh;
and the sweet-smelling sheeah, that reminded us of home-lavender.

We have been hitherto going on in a quiet, jog-trot way enough, almost
forgetting that the desert has perils, and that we are not in a
civilised land. Now comes something to awaken us out of this dream of
comfort. A courier has arrived from Ghat, bringing the news that one
Sidi Jafel Waled Sakertaf, the great man of the oasis of Janet--on which
we have been speculating so pastorally--is preparing to come out and
intercept our passage to Soudan, near the well of Tajetterat. This
pleasant intelligence came to us in a letter from Hateetah and Jabour,
who, however, philosophically add that they are not quite sure it is
correct. I rewarded the courier with five reals, and sent him off to
Waled Shafou and the Sultan with the news; begging the former to meet us
certainly at Falezlez, which is about four days from this, whilst
Tajetterat is nearly eight. Janet is now only a day and a-half
south-south-west from our encampment. It is a small oasis, inhabited by
Moors and Tuaricks. The statistics of the place begin to interest us
exceedingly. We are told that there is a good deal