328 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



up my diary, and watching the fettered camels as they 

 feed ; and at night he remains at my side, and his 

 camels are kept fettered within the enclosure. No 

 gazelle seen to-day, and, should this high wind continue, 

 it would be almost impossible to hold a rifle steady, 

 much less aim straight with eyes blinded by sand. 



May 6. Whatever advantage there may be in 

 halting at telegraph stations, the distance they are from 

 water is one great drawback. Early this morning I 

 sent off the Arab on a camel with some soldiers, and 

 he did not return for five hours. In the meantime, 

 some Arabs arrived and told us that Vivian (by their 

 description) with the baggage was not far behind, so 

 our minds are now relieved from anxiety about him. 

 Shortly afterwards an Arab came to ask for the assist- 

 ance of the soldiers to bury a man who was lying dead 

 close by, having been robbed and murdered by some 

 Arabs during the night. Ibrahim accompanied them, 

 and told us afterwards that he remembered our passing 

 this man mounted on a camel just before we arrived at 

 the station. Ranfurly had a bad night, being unable to lie 

 down, but towards morning his breathing became again 

 relieved, and he was able to sleep. *On the return of our 

 camel-man with the water we were off without further 

 delay, rested from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M., and after a short halt 

 at 7 P.M. we arrived at our station at 10.30 P.M. 



The violent gale must have driven the gazelle to the 



