maturely weighing the information we had obtained from the Lamas,
it was decided that we should direct our steps towards the West. On
October 1st we quitted Tolon-Noor; and it was not without infinite
trouble that we managed to traverse the filthy town with our camels. The
poor animals could only get through the quagmire streets by fits and
starts; it was first a stumble, then a convulsive jump, then another
stumble and another jump, and so on. Their loads shook on their backs,
and at every step we expected to see the camel and camel-load prostrate
in the mud. We considered ourselves lucky when, at distant intervals, we
came to a comparatively dry spot, where the camels could travel, and we
were thus enabled to re-adjust and tighten the baggage. Samdadchiemba
got into a desperate ill temper; he went on, and slipped, and went on
again, without uttering a single word, restricting the visible
manifestation of his wrath to a continuous biting of the lips.

Upon attaining at length the western extremity of the town, we got clear
of the filth indeed, but found ourselves involved in another evil.
Before us there was no road marked out, not the slightest trace of even a
path. There was nothing but an apparently interminable chain of small
hills, composed of fine, moving sand, over which it was impossible to
advance at more than a snail's pace, and this only with extreme labour.
Among these sand-hills, moreover, we were oppressed with an absolutely
stifling heat. Our animals were covered with perspiration, ourselves
devoured with a burning thirst; but it was in vain that we looked round
in all directions, as we proceeded, for water; not a spring, not a pool,
not a drop presented itself.

It was already late, and we began to fear we should find no spot
favourable for the erection of our tent. The ground, however, grew by
degrees firmer, and we at last discerned some signs of vegetation.
By-and-by, the sand almost disappeared, and our eyes were rejoiced with
the sight of continuous verdure. On our left, at no great distance, we
saw the opening of a defile. M. Gabet urged on his camel, and went to
examine the spot. He soon made his appearance at the summit of a hill,
and with voice and hand directed us to follow him. We hastened on, and
found that Providence had led us to a favourable position. A small pool,
the waters of which were half concealed by thick reeds and other marshy
vegetation, some brushwood, a plot of gr