xxiv ACROSS THE KAISOOT DESERT 



37 



my rifle across my knee, doing all I could, when she 

 started up, to pacify and soothe her sorely tried 

 nerves. 



At 4 A.M., after distributing water to the safari 

 and drinking a hasty cup of coffee, we set off again, 

 and had a very long and trying day's march across 



"THE CAMELS . . . APPEARED TO ENJOY CROSSING THIS DESOLATE 

 WASTE." 



the burning desert. The fierce rays of the sun beat 

 down relentlessly, and there was no shade of any 

 kind to be found. Men and beasts suffered greatly, 

 save only the camels, and they appeared to enjoy 

 crossing this desolate waste. The whole district is 

 parched and sterile, and covered with red lava ash, 

 which rose in clouds of dust as we marched along, 



