terat. They had seen no Tuaricks. We
begin to hope that we have been disturbed by false alarms.

At about four hours from the encampment of yesterday we descried some
mountains to the south-west. Near them is the well of Janet, said to be
about seven hours out of the line of route. It is a frequent resort of
Tuaricks, who come to the neighbourhood for hunting purposes. All this
region is favourable to sport. Along our route to-day were noticed
footmarks of wild oxen and wadan.

Wataitee asked me whether he should go to see if there were any Tuaricks
at Janet, to get news of them; but I told him that he had better
continue with us until we reach Tajetterat. This he has agreed to do;
and we all feel that his presence is, to a certain extent, a protection.

In the evening we had a visit from three Tuarick sportsmen, with a
couple of dogs. We purchased two carcases of wadan from them. It would
have been most amusing to an untravelled European to witness the
bartering between us. The principal hunter got hold of the grey calico,
and would not let go until he had his full measure. Then how
deliberately he measured again with his long arms, with all the
appearance of justice, whilst he was filching off inches at once! Two
small carcases cost us about a mahboub. Wataitee pretends that these
hunters never carry provisions with them, but must catch wadan and oxen
or die. I made a tremendous supper of wadan, being as ravenous as a wolf
for a little meat and soup. The meat is so strong and nourishing, that
it threatened to produce injurious effects. It is necessary to be
cautious about indulging in unaccustomed food. Still this meat is far
superior to camels' flesh.

_9th._--We rose, and, with our accustomed regularity, started before
daybreak in search of water, for the Kailouees are without this element
essential to life in the desert. Having continued about six hours and
a-half, we encamped in Wady Aroukeen. It would not have been necessary
to come to this place, had our imprudent Kailouees taken in a sufficient
supply of water. This wady lies east and Tajetterat west.

Our course had been over an elevated rocky plain; but I had no idea of
the height to which we had arrived. Suddenly the ground broke up on
either side of the track into rocky eminences, and we now came to the
brow of a sharp descent. The valley of Aroukeen wound as it were like a
snake far down at the bottom of an immense hollow, surrounded on all
sides by a