It is true that we were promised no town, no village, not even
visible landmarks; above all, no custom-house officers to suggest the
blessings of civilisation. There was, in truth, some idea that very
indefinite dues might be exacted of us during our progress through the
northern districts of the Asben territory. Still it was a comfort to get
at last within the limits of the influence of a form of polity, however
rude.
Whilst we were indulging in these reflections, there came on a regular
desert-storm. A vault of clouds, like huge irregular rocks, was soon
heaped up overhead. The thunder roared from side to side of the horizon.
The lightning flashed, sometimes above, sometimes between, the isolated
hills, showing them like long black tents pitched here and there on the
plain. Our beasts moved eagerly on; and their drivers, though accustomed
to such phenomena, were hushed into awe. The tempest did not last many
minutes; but it was accompanied by wind so violent that we could
scarcely preserve our seats in the saddles, and finished off with so
violent a shower of rain that we got quite wet through almost in an
instant. This is a fair warning that we are really within the tropics.
We made fourteen hours that day, and felt dreadfully exhausted on
arriving at the place where we expected to encamp for the night. In two
hours, however, the Kailouees came and told us that there was no more
water in the skins; that the camels were restless, knowing that a well
was ahead; and that it was better to move on at once, and make for the
well of Aisou, that marks the commencement of the Aheer territory.
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