a bandit, the claws of a wild beast, or by that still more deadly enemy,
thirst. Just before sunset I was preparing fresh fires as a last resort,
when I saw one of our blacks, the little Mahadee, running eagerly
towards the encampment. Good news was in his very step. I hastened to
meet him. He brought the joyful intelligence that Dr. Barth had been
found, still alive, and even able to speak! The Tuarick whom I had
despatched, in scouring the country with his maharee, had found him
about eight miles from the camp, lying on the ground, unable to move.
For twenty-four hours he had remained in the same position, perfectly
exhausted with heat and fatigue. Our fires had not been unmarked by him,
but they only served to show that we were doing our best to find him. He
could not move a step towards them. On seeing his deliverers, he could
just muster strength to say, "Water, water!" He had finished the small
supply he had taken with him the day before at noon, and had from that
time suffered the most horrible tortures from thirst. He had even drunk
his own blood! Twenty-eight hours, without water in the Sahara! Our
people could scarcely at first credit that he was alive; for their
saying is, that no one can live more than twelve hours when lost in the
desert during the heats of summer.

Dr. Barth was now brought back to the camp. He had still a supply of
biscuit and dates with him; but eating only aggravates the torture of
thirst. Moist food is fitter to carry on such occasions. We found rum
very useful in restoring his health.

_17th._--The Doctor, being of robust constitution, was well enough this
day to mount his camel, and proceed with the caravan. We advanced about
seven hours, and then encamped. To-morrow, a ride of a couple of hours
will take us into Ghât.