The Tuaricks had
another knocked up, and we two,--that of the blacks and one which I had
purchased of Mr. Gagliuffi. The latter could not bring his load, and we
were obliged to relieve him of all his burden; a great disappointment to
me, for I bought the animal as a strong one, to go up to Soudan. It was
a dear bargain, in comparison with the other camels which I purchased in
Mourzuk,--costing thirty-eight mahboubs and a half. I must recover the
money, and cannot allow Government to lose it. All our other camels came
on well, even those which cost me much less. The other is still behind
whilst I write: it is an old, worn-out, black Egyptian camel, and cost
only eighteen dollars.
I did not feel so much exhausted to-day as usual. I always take tea and
coffee on encamping, which restores my senses at least, and does me much
good generally. I dissolve mastic with the water during the hot hours,
and to-day drank at least three pints, but ate little.
The well is east from our encampment two hours, and under the mountains.
There is encamped the Sfaxee, who went by the more difficult route, to
arrive at Ghat before us; but it seems he will be disappointed. He
came by the pass by which I returned formerly from Ghat to
Mourzuk,--certainly too difficult and narrow for the transport of the
boat.
_15th._--I rose early, and marched about three hours and a half to the
well, under the Kasar Janoon; that is to say, four or five miles along
the base of the eastern wall of the Kasar.
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