Another camel at the point of death was killed here and some of its flesh boiled for eating. Sidi-Aly had some pieces dried, and sprinkled with salt, to preserve them as a luxury for himself during the remainder of the journey.
On the 18th, at seven in the morning, we proceeded N. N. E. at first amongst the sand-hills afterwards, over a plain of black gravel. About ten we halted to feed the camels, and a meal was prepared with part of the animal killed the day before. This mess did not provoke the appetite, but necessity taught us to eat it. One particular that I think worthy of remark is that my health continued perfectly good in the desert, notwithstanding the privations of every kind which I experienced. I had no fear of perishing but by thirst; and this was increased by the apprehension that we might lose our way and wander to a distance from the wells. Providence, however, watched for my preservation, and I escaped even this peril, the greatest, perhaps, which these frightful solitudes present.
At one o’clock in the morning of the 19th, we resumed our route over a hard soil covered with gravel, and followed the same course; some hills of little elevation were scattered over the country. At noon we arrived at a spot which offered a little grass, and there halted. A man was deputed to take care of the cattle, and we assembled under the tent for refreshment, and to shelter ourselves from the wind which now blew up clouds of dust.
On the 20th, at one in the morning, we resumed our journey northwards, over loose sand, and halted at ten; our camels found some prickly shrubs scattered over the plain. Towards midnight we broke up, and again travelled towards the north over some hillocks which rendered our progress slow and painful.
On the 21st, at nine A. M. we halted in the midst of sand-hills, amongst which grass grew pretty plentifully. We were a mile west of the wells of el-Guedea, where we found tolerably good water: the heat was greater than on the preceding days and it was increased by a dead calm: we were this day fully occupied in laying in a stock of water.
On the 22nd we recommenced our journey, still proceeding northwards; our progress was slow, as the camels browzed by the way on some thorny and half dried plants. The soil was of the same nature as that we had last traversed. At ten in the morning we halted to avoid the heat of the day, and about ten at night broke up our camp, directing our course northward amongst sandy hills till day-light, when we came to a more level soil covered with white gravel.
On the 23rd, at nine in the morning, we suspended our progress. Some pieces of camel’s flesh dried in the sun were boiled for our dinner, but proved as hard as wood. The same evening at nine, we broke up, and, after proceeding northward for three hours, turned to the N. N. W. over a level soil, without any vegetation, and overspread with small gravel.
On the 24th, at eleven in the morning, the heat being insufferable, we halted under our tent till it moderated, drinking a little dokhnou; and, about four in the afternoon, after having eaten some rice boiled with the flesh of the camel, we again advanced, bearing N. N. W. till sunset, when we turned northward to cross a chain of low sand-hills on which some grass grows. I learnt from my comrades that the Moors of el-Harib come as far as this place in the rainy seasons to pasture their flocks. We continued our journey till two in the morning, over a hard gravelly soil and some hills of loose sand; after which we halted till dawn, lying down beside our camels to rest. On each side of the place where we stopped were great rocks of granite, amongst which were seen some miserable plants of mimosa ferruginea.
On the 25th, at four in the morning, there being sufficient light, we slowly advanced amidst large blocks of quartz, among which I saw many thorny plants and stunted mimosas, the bare branches of which the famished camels cropped and ate with avidity. Whether these animals were sensible that they were approaching their own country and the moment when their wants would be satisfied, I know not, but they appeared more sprightly and vigorous than usual. About ten o’clock the same morning, we halted at the wells of Mayara, situated in a defile surrounded by granite and some mimosas. The water of these wells, which are only four or five feet deep, is salt; its taste is detestable: we had still one leather bottle full of good water, but the Moors would not allow me my share of it; they kept it all to themselves, and told me to go and drink with the camels. Three Moorish slaves, who were of our party, were more fortunate than I was; a small portion of the good water was given to them. At a hundred and fifty feet from the salt wells, there is another, the water of which is fit to drink, but it was nearly dry; several Moors passed part of the day in emptying it, and towards sunset I could quench my thirst at my ease.
On the 26th, I was awakened at one in the morning: we proceeded N. N. E. between two hills sixty or seventy fathoms in height, composed of great blocks of grey quartz and some granites of the same colour: many mimosas and hedysarum alhagi grow in this defile, the soil of which consists of grey sand. So long was it since I had seen any thing similar in point of vegetation, that I thought myself in the most beautiful country in the world.