ured, nay, exasperated into activity by these constant
troubles. It is very hot now. I have hit upon a happy contrivance for
keeping out the sun from my tent. I lay my carpet on the sandy floor of
my tent, and with my table and the frame of my bed I make a wooden
covering over. On the top I place my mattress and thick blankets, I then
lay myself down underneath; and am perfectly protected from the sun
above, whilst the cool breeze enters at the bottom of the tent. There
is, then, not a person in the caravan who suffers so little from the
heat as I do, I recommend the plan to travellers.

These last four days we have made immense progress towards Aheer--I
mean, its inhabited districts.

Wednesday 12-1/2 hours 31 miles.
Thursday 13 " 32-1/2 "
Friday 14 " 35 "
Friday night to Saturday morning 9 " 22-1/2 "
-------
At 2-1/2 miles an hour 121 miles.

Sometimes, however, the camels went at least three miles an hour. We
have come, indeed, about 130 miles, and nearly all south; which has
brought us so much more within the influence of the climate of Soudan.
On the third day, at noon, the granite region disappeared, and we have
now sandstone again.

Some of our servants have begun to feel uneasy, and are becoming
troublesome, in consequence of these constant alarms of Haghar. To do
the free blacks justice, they behave well. Yusuf is getting out of
temper, and somewhat changed in manner. He is annoyed at seeing me not
place so much confidence in him as at first; I have reason to be
dissatisfied with his carelessness. Mahommed of Tunis is a good servant,
but at times impertinent.

I am getting rather more accustomed to our Kailouee companions. They are
dressed in most respects like the Tuaricks, but seem to take pride in
loading themselves with a luxury of weapons. To see one of them running
after a camel is really a ludicrous sight: bow, arrows, sword, gun,
pistols, dagger, stick out in all directions, and it is hard to imagine
how they would behave in the midst of this arsenal if attacked. The
chief of them is En-Noor, a person of mild and good manners--quite a
gentleman, in fact. He is a man of light complexion; but his two
companions are dark as thorough negroes. These individuals, Dedee and
Feraghe by name, are