79 ([return])
[ Which we found to be the case till we came within fifteen hours march of the Nile.]
80 ([return])
[ Out of the twenty-two camels that we had commenced our march with from Berber, only twelve reached the river.]
81 ([return])
[ This was occasioned by the heat of the sun and the dryness of the air of the desert, which made nearly two fifths of our water to evaporate.]
82 ([return])
[ Before we entered the desert our caravan had been joined by several runaway domestics, who had fled from the army to return to Egypt.]
83 ([return])
[ The soldier of the Cadilaskier before mentioned, who was the conductor, i.e. the chief of the caravan, had recourse to a singular expedient to rouse one of them whom the whip could not stir. He seized his purse of money, which this man carried in his bosom, swearing that if he chose to stop and die there he might, and that he would be his heir and inherit his purse. This testamentary disposition on the part of the soldier had a wonderful effect. The man got up from the sand and walked forward very briskly, calling upon the soldier to restore the purse, as he was determined not to lie down any more till he reached the river. The soldier, however, observing the effect of his proceeding, retained the purse till we arrived at the river, when he restored it.]