334 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



as if our troubles had really terminated, and that we 

 might rest mind and body, and look forward with more 

 hope to the future. The day had not far advanced, 

 however, before Ranfurly began to wish himself in the 

 saddle again ; for though we had a constant relay of 

 boys to fan off the flies, they were a source of great 

 annoyance to him, and his breathing was more oppressed 

 than usual. When the wind was moderate, he always 

 had said that he preferred the swinging motion of the 

 camel to sitting still, as it somehow appeared to assist 

 his breathing. 



At 6 P.M. Vivian arrived, and he was in such an 

 exhausted state that he could barely walk the few yards 

 distance from the boat to our house without support, and 

 he then threw himself down on an angerep and almost 

 fainted away. When he had been allowed a little time 

 to recover himself, he declared he had never felt so done 

 in his life ; and that had his day's journey required 

 another hour to accomplish it, he must have spent 

 another night in the desert. On arriving at the second 

 telegraph station from Souakim, he heard that we were 

 just in front of him ; and at once pushed on, hoping to 

 catch us up and add something to our supplies, which 

 Mohamed reported to be most limited ; and at the last 

 station he left the baggage, and rode on with an Arab 

 guide expecting momentarily all day to see us. We had 

 been more fortunate in our riding camels, and had latterly 



