CH. in.] PROSPECT OF RELIEF. 6? 



the sky; the very crows sat on the trees with their mouths 

 open. 



A thirsty crow, as seen through a glass. 



The thunder roared, and the cloud broke darkly over us, but 

 its liquid contents seemed to evaporate in the middle air. 

 At half-past seven, a strong hot wind set in from the north- 

 east, and continued during- the night. Thermometer 90°. 

 I was suddenly awoke fj'om feverish sleep by a violent shak- 

 ing of my tent, and I distinctly heard the flapping of very 

 large wings, as if some bird, perhaps an owl, had perched 

 upon it. 



Jan. 5. — The sun's rays were scorching before his red orb 

 had cleared the horizon, but ere he appeared the party was 

 in motion. No dew had fallen, yet even the distressed 

 bullocks and horses seemed to participate in the hope which 

 led us forward. With one accord men and quadrupeds 

 hastened from the inhospitable valley, common sufferers 

 from the want of an element so essential to the living world. 

 Continuing on the same bearing of 24° east of north, we 

 reached the highest part of some clear ground, at about two 

 miles from where we had encamped, and from this spot I 

 obtained an extensive view over the country before us. The 

 ground sloped for several miles towards a line of trees, 

 beyond which a steep ridge extended parallel to that line, 

 and upwards to the mountains, evidently enclosing a channel 

 of drainage, so that I ventured at once, on seeing this, to 

 assure the men that I saw, where we should meet with water. 



F 2 



