But this day's adventures
deserve more particular chronicle.
The Germans had determined to go and examine the Kasar, and were about
to start just as I came out of my tent. They had had some altercation
with Hateetah, because, partly for superstitious reasons, he would not
give them a guide, and they had made up their minds to undertake the
exploration alone. I saw Dr. Barth going off somewhat stiffly by
himself; Dr. Overweg came to where I was standing, and asked Amankee, my
Soudan servant, about the well near the Kasar, and then also went off.
He said to me, "I shall boil the water on the highest point, and then go
along the top to the other end." He was taking some points of the Kasar
with the compass, and I observed to him, "Take the eastern point." Then
he started. Yusuf called out after him, "Take a camel with you, it is
very distant." Distressed at seeing them go alone, I told Amankee that
if he would follow I would give him a present. He agreed, upon the
condition that he should not be expected to ascent the Kasar; for he
feared the Janoon. We then gave him dates, biscuits, and a skin of
water, and he started after Dr. Overweg. I confess I had my fears about
them. On arriving near the well, we pitched tent near an immense
spreading old ethel, which afforded us some shade. I watched the
changing aspect of the Kasar nearly all the time of our three hours'
ride; and could not help thinking that the more it was examined the more
marvellous did it appear.
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