At length I had begun to find drinking a necessity. During these days of
sand I imbibed more than during the whole of the rest of the journey.
The eating of dates added to my thirst; and the blacks complained of the
same thing. Dates are much better in the winter, and keep the cold out
of the stomach; but I should recommend all Saharan travellers to eat as
few of them as possible, at any season of the year.
During this last day, beyond the expanse of sandy waves through which we
swam, as it were, had risen ahead some very conspicuous mountains. Even
at five in the morning we could see detached along the line of the
horizon the highest and most advanced portion of the edge of the plateau
of Mourzuk. In three hours the white line of cliffs came in view,
looking like a stretch of black-blue sea, contrasting strangely with the
sparkling white-sand undulations that stretched to their feet. Some of
us thought that an inland sea--never before heard of--had rolled its
waters athwart our path, so perfect was the illusion. The heavens, this
day particularly, attracted our attention. What a sky! how beautiful!
The ground was a soft, light azure; and on its mildly resplendent
surface were scattered loosely about some downy, feathery clouds, of the
purest white--veils manufactured in celestial looms!
We expected to reach our premeditated halting ground about noon, or
before, these cliffs seeming so near.
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