We
started, therefore, again, although I was suffering from illness, and
moved on all night, nodding in our saddles in a half-slumber, that to
those unaccustomed is almost more fatiguing than watchfulness. Several
times I felt inclined to insist on a halt; but the people, who were
eager to arrive, cried out that _the camels wanted to reach the water_;
and proceeding accordingly, about seven o'clock the next morning we at
length reached the Seven Wells. We found only two open, the others being
closed up by sand. Some of them belong to the Kailouees, and the others
to the Tuaricks of Ghat. There is no good feeding for the camels, only a
few tufts of coarse herbage. The kingdom of Aheer presents itself under
grim colours. I did not move about this day, but consecrated it to rest.
The rocks of Asben rise above the horizon.
_18th._--Bidding adieu to the land of Ghat--if that name can be applied
to the desert which we have just traversed--we left the Seven Wells, and
once more entered upon the desert. We had scarcely been in motion two
hours, when there was an alarm of Haghar coming upon us from behind. I
did not at first know how the report originated, and looked anxiously
around upon the desert expecting to see a body of enemies charging down
some valley. All the people ran for their guns, and I hastily delivered
out powder and ball. It was amusing to see the slaves with their bows
and arrows, coming forward and trying to look martial.
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