We are now, they say, about twelve days from Aheer, exclusive of the
stoppages; twelve days, I mean, of twelve hours a-piece. These long
stretches are desperately fatiguing, and trying to the health; but there
is no remedy. We must make these weary stages on account of the scarcity
of water and herbage for the camels. The Kailouees tie their camels by
the lower jaw, and fasten the string to the baggage piled on the back of
the preceding animal; and the long line moves on well this way. The
Tuaricks fasten their bridles, when they ride their maharees, by a round
ring in the nose.

We had granite again to-day, and fine beds of felspar, pebbles, and
rocks. The geology of this portion of Sahara is very interesting, but no
crystals have yet been found. Yesterday and to-day, the wind has been
high, moderating greatly the heat. The wind is nearly always south-east.
The nights are resplendent. Jupiter and Venus are seen close together in
beautiful conjunction. The constellation of the Scorpion rises higher in
the south, whilst the Pole-star apparently falls.

I read nothing nowadays but a few verses of the Greek Testament, and
write these miserable leaves of journal. I must save my strength. I am
very weak as it is. We have still got nearly forty days of actual
travelling to make before we enter Soudan, but we hope Providence will
allow us a little rest at Aheer.

_10th._--We moved on late this morning up Wady Aroukeen, one hour and
a-half, to a place where we have better feeding for the camels; but it
was scarcely worth the trouble of loading and unloading, as the animals
could have been led up here to this portion of the wady.

Wady Aroukeen is in every respect a desirable place for the