parties who drove
off our cattle.

In spite of all the sanctity of this place, and its reputation that it
is free from theft, En-Noor of our escort told us yesterday evening to
watch well during the night, that our things might not be stolen.

We Christians cannot trust our things here. The Sfaxee, however, leaves
his goods in the place, and will go with us to-morrow. Tintaghoda may be
a safe depot for Muslims, not for Christians.

I have omitted to notice in its proper place, but may record here, that
one of the free black females was lost for a couple of days in the
desert, and recovered after the disaster.

Whatever we have yet seen of Aheer in a geological point of view, shows
that it is essentially a region of granite rocks, between which are a
series of fine valleys, running one into another. The granite is in
great varieties; there are four specimens of granite marble; some pieces
of pure limestone marble have also been collected; the granite rocks are
blackened by the sun and atmosphere, and wear the appearance of basalt.

About four o'clock this afternoon there was a cry in the encampment--not
that the Haghar were coming--not that another troop of robbers and wild
people were advancing upon us to attack us; but the cry was, "_El wady
jaee!_" "The wady is coming!" Going out to look, I saw a broad white
sheet of foam advancing from the south between the trees of the valley.
In ten minutes after a river of water came pouring along, and spread all
around us, converting the place of our encampment into an isle of the
valley. The current in its deepest part was very powerful, capable of
carrying away sheep and cattle, and of uprooting trees. This is one of
the most interesting phenomena I have witnessed during my present tour
in Africa. The scene, indeed, was perfectly African. Rain had been
observed falling in the south; black clouds and darkness covered that
zone of the heavens; and an hour afterwards came pouring down this river
of water into the dry, parched-up valley. This incident of Wady
Tintaghoda explains the Scriptural phrase, "rivers of waters;" for here
indeed was a river of water, appearing in an instant, and almost without
notice. It is not, however, necessary to come to the frontiers of Soudan
to witness phenomena, of this nature. Even in Morocco similar sudden
floodings occur every rainy season.

We had been some time employed in watching this singular scene, when
another cry was heard. This wa