Swallows were skimming over the shrubs, and
birds of prey hovered about, now lying-to, as it were, overhead, with
beak and talons visible, now circling upwards until they became mere
specks. Lizards and beetles abounded as usual; but the only plagues of
the place were the flies, which had followed the camels from Gharian,
and even from Tripoli. Men usually carry their "black cares" along with
them in this way.
As we could not expect to commence the traject of the dreaded plateau
immediately, I resolved to go upon a visit to the village of Western
Ghareeah. The camel-drivers of the caravan, of course, told us that it
was at the distance of one hour--_Saha bas!_ but we found it to be three
hours in a north-east direction. Time is of little consequence in the
desert, and no means are possessed or desired of measuring it with
exactitude. It has already been observed by a traveller, that the
Bedawin will describe as _near_ an object a hundred yards off, or a well
two days' journey from you. Western Ghareeah was likewise described as
_grayeb_, but we thought for some time that we had ventured upon an
interminable desert. However, the ground at length dipped, and a green
wady disclosed itself. We could scarcely, at first, find anybody to
receive us. But after waiting some time, the people came unwillingly
crawling out one after the other. We told them our errand--"To look at
the country and buy barley.
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