of provisions with his wife to support her during his absence. It is
necessary to take such precautions with these Moors, who often
barbarously abandon their families, without any adequate provision, for
months and even for years together. We found that he had left dates,
wheat, and a little olive-oil and mutton-fat--the ordinary stock of all
families in Fezzan. Only a few rich people indulge in such luxuries as
coffee, sugar, meat, and liquid butter.

An Arab saying: "You must always put other people's things on your head,
and your own under your arm. Then, if there be danger of the things
falling off your head, you must raise your arm, and let fall your own
things to save those of others." I do not know what things I shall let
fall of my own; but this I know, that during my whole residence in
Mourzuk my mind has been continually occupied in endeavouring to save
Government money. But I have received little assistance.

The weather still continues hot, with wind from the south: however, I
walked in the gardens. On the 16th, the boat went off to the caravan;
the camels carried it very easily, to the astonishment of the good
people of Mourzuk. On the 17th, the thermometer was at 102° in the
shade--in the sun, about 130°. We received letters in answer to those
first written from Mourzuk, and learned that all the despatches written
on the road for Tripoli had arrived in safety. The Arabs, therefore, are
not quite so bad as they are represented.

_20th._--At length Hateetah may be said to be reported "in sight," and
we are busy preparing for departure. The escort has arrived at Tesaoua,
and will be here on Saturday at latest. As the Germans are still at
Tuggerter, we shall proceed on the Ghât route together, after all: it
will be a tough piece of work, whichever way performed. The heat