adds, "Always keep the door shut, and when any one calls out for
permission to enter say 'Babo,'--(No one at home!)"

The Germans, like myself, find the fatigue too great to enable them to
continue their observations and writings with regularity. We must not be
extravagant of our health and strength at this early period of our
expedition.

The valley of Tabea is a pleasant place, having herbage for the camels
in abundance, as is the case wherever the ethel-tree is found. There are
several wells with water near the surface, and others might no doubt be
dug all over the wady. Our encampment looked picturesque this evening.
It is the eve of Ramadhan, and our people fired shots here and there to
celebrate the occasion.

_10th._--A halt was arranged for this day. I took the opportunity to
wash and change all my clothes, which I do every three or four days, if
possible. Mr. Hateetah, however, would not allow me to carry on my
domestic arrangements in peace. He came grumbling as usual, wanting
scissors, razors, &c. I cannot fill this craving abyss to the brim. Our
people fast to-day; but to-morrow, probably, they will not, as the law
does not require them to do so when actually travelling.

I have left Doctors Barth and Overweg to take the compass-direction of
this route. To do this when with them would be useless for me, but when
I leave them I must then do all the work I can. Now, it would be only
accumulating on my shoulders useless labour. Besides, they will always
do this kind of thing much better than myself. The same observation
applies to the thermometer. It would be well, however, if I practised
taking observations with them. But we are all sufficiently worked, and