proceeding, engaged in noticing the various colours and forms of
the granite, when there appeared advancing through the ravine ahead a
number of moving figures. At first, of course, we were a little alarmed;
but it turned out to be only a slave caravan--about twenty camels and
forty slaves. One of the little boys had an immensely large head--quite
a phenomenon. We, of course, eagerly questioned the merchants about
Sahara news, and especially as to whether the Tuaricks had made their
appearance at Falezlez or Tajetterat. They had neither seen nor heard of
the hostile party; and perhaps we may hope that all this is a rumour.
However, it looked very like truth; and, possibly, Sidi Jafel may know
perfectly well that there is no occasion to hurry. The Tanelkums are now
about four days in advance of us, and may receive the first brunt of the
attack. These slave-dealers tell us, that from Falezlez to the place
where we are to be robbed and murdered is four days of dismal desert,
without water--suffering before sacrifice. We are getting into the heart
of the Sahara at last. Day by day the stations become more difficult.
Another caravan is to pass in a few days, which may give us more
definite intelligence. I am writing to Government and to my wife; but of
camels I am heartily sick. Gagliuffi's camel still sticks in my throat.
It was the first to knock up. I have left it at Ghat--thirty-eight
mahboubs gone. People want to make a fortune out of my poor expedition.

_2d._--We made a long day of twelve hours, at first between granite
rocks for four hours, and then over a sandy plain. This plain was at
first scattered with pebbles of granite, but finally it became all sand.
The granite rocks were mostly conic in form, and on our right rose one
peak at least six hundred feet high. Further off on the same side, at a
distance, the rocks continued in a range, instead of being scattered
about like so many sugar-loaves placed upon a plane, as mountains are
represented to children. To-day the granite became stratified, or
gneiss; there were also some fine specimens of hornblend.

One of our Kailouee friends amused himself on the road by giving a good
beating to his female slave. These people transact their domestic
affairs in public with the utmost simplicity. They seem to think they
are showing themselves in a favourable light by this brutal conduct, for
I detect glances of pride thrown towards us. Whenever these beatings
occur--which th