ving antiquity, in fact, stamped on their
trunks, all of the tholukh species. The sand of this desert is covered
with the footsteps or marks of the gazelle and hare; but we saw only one
gazelle and one hare. The gazelle was followed by a stupid mongrel-bred
dog; it jumped high in the air, and was soon out of sight. The Kailouees
are no huntsmen. I question whether they have ever caught a gazelle or
any full-grown animal in their lives; they are a stupid set, and their
dogs worse still in field-sport, though always living in the desert.
There are huntsmen amongst the Haghars. The Kailouees prefer running
down men, or rather women. All they think of is riding or straying from
place to place after the women--this is their sport.

This may be called a country of dry wadys. The name is appropriate all
the year round, except on the few days when the floods are seen pouring
down these seeming beds of rivers. Hereabouts are the largest tholukh
and other trees found in Aheer. Those that grow on high ground are
small, but from their trunks are picked off, by the slaves, pieces of
gum. To-day, however, I could not succeed in getting a piece. What was
found was carried to En-Noor. I shall soon get a taste of it. We
continue with our same number of camels; no other detachments of the
large salt-caravan have yet joined us. En-Noor is still very active,
riding before and behind, seeing that all is right. He is followed by
his shadow. He wears his yellow burnouse. I have heard of no town on
this side of Baghzem.

An immense quantity of stone is scattered over the route hereabouts.
Overweg believes it to be basalt, or a species of volcanic stone of
similar character.

I am preparing myself for my Soudan journeys, and, _en route_, take as
much rest as possible. Cold winds prevail night and morning, but the sun
burns a few hours in the day. Certainly now is the best season for
travelling in this country. What it is in Soudan it is impossible to
tell.

_20th._--We rested to-day. There is a well a short distance off, called
Tilya. This morning early filed by a large division of the salt-caravan,
about three hundred camels. We passed them yesterday. They had also a
little merchandise besides salt. Some of the people inquired of me if I
had found my camels. I told them two were still missing. They were all
strangers, but were, nevertheless, civil. I made a short excursion in
search of gum amongst the tholukh-trees. I was fortunate enough