324 THE ATLANTIC SHORE. ch. xii. 



beds, slightly excavated in places by watercourses, and cut 

 into irregular steps. The increasing prevalence of blov^n 

 sand now gave warning of a nearer approach to the shore ; 

 the distant roar of the ceaseless Atlantic breakers fell dis- 

 tinctly on the ear ; amid the increasing masses of sand 

 vegetation became more and more sparse ; we rode on 

 amidst undulating dunes of sand until, at length, on 

 reaching the summit of one of the ridges, the blue Atlan- 

 tic lay before us. 



With mingled feelings we cast our eyes on the waters 

 that were so soon to carry us back within the accustomed 

 round of civilised existence. If the prospect before us 

 were in many ways most welcome, there was yet some in- 

 evitable regret at the termination of a journey so full of 

 interest, and, in spite of trifling drawbacks, so full of 

 enjoyment. We felt that the time at our disposal had 

 been too limited, and that what we had accomplished 

 in the way of exploration fell far short of what we had 

 expected ; but enough had been done to reward us amply 

 for the labour expended, and we indulged, as almost 

 all genuine travellers are wont to do, in the hope of 

 returning again to the country we were now about to 

 leave. 



We had reached the shore at a point about five miles 

 north of Mogador, which, however, was concealed from 

 view by the lofty sand dunes that have accumulated on the 

 reef of rocks that stretches out seaward on the north side 

 of the town. For more than half the distance we rode 

 along the flat beach, where the sand gave somewhat firmer 

 footing than it did above high water mark. Our soldiers 

 took the opportunity for celebrating the prosperous termi- 

 nation of our journey by an exhibition of 'powder-play,' 

 for which the ground was admirably adapted. Starting 

 together, but not attempting to keep line, they urge their 

 horses to their fastest gallop ; while at full speed they dis- 

 charge their long guns at an imaginary foe, fling the gun 

 up in the air, and catch it again ; and finally the horse is 



