144 Continuation of Dr. Gerard’s Route. [Marcu, 
‘was not occasioned by any untoward event we cared less. Other Aa- 
jilas joined us here, and on the 21st we resumed the journey across the 
desert. The weather had undergone a great change, and was now 
temperate. We almost immediately entered amongst sand heaps, which 
succeeded in rising heights, and extended till they bordered the horizon 
on all sides; and the Shimal or north wind sweeping away the loose 
surface, made it appear like the sea spray, while the heaps themselves 
represented the waves. The camels trod heavily through the sand 
drifts, and the horses plunged as if they were fording a river. Several 
belts of this sort occurred between them, tracts of sand covered with 
bushes or shrubs, and then a ridge of the desert composed of hillocks 
or sand waves, which at a distance looked like a vast roller just going 
to break. Scarce any track is visible, the wind defacing the prints 
of the camels’ feet; but there is a general line of route which is fol- 
lowed. The sand heaps are of every size and shape, but have com- 
monly their cliff to the south ; deep chasms are formed by the junction 
of their bases, and basins or cavities which would resemble pools if 
filled with water. The scene was quite new and magnificent. It was 
altogether a wilderness. We passed several dead carcases of camels 
and horses, the drivers of which, having missed the wells, killed some 
of them for sustenance. Mostof the wells were saliferous, but the water 
answered for our horses and some of the people, who live little better. 
The climate had evidently turned from its extreme temperature, and 
in this respect we had not to complain. The nights, contrary to ex- 
pectation, were very mild. A very long march brought us to a well of 
bad water, after having been without any except what we brought from 
a distance. This was a relief the more grateful, as we had nearly missed 
the spot, and perseverance alone in feeling for the road kept us in a 
proper direction, till the barking of a dog announced our proximity toa 
Tiarkoman ‘camp. On the 27th we reached a baked arid plain, on 
which was planted a tented village of Tarkomans. Here we were to 
be taxed by the Urganj authorities, who came down to us from the 
ancient city of Mdwur or Myhr, now almost level with the face of 
the desert, and no longer an inhabited spot. The Urganj army 
was close upon us, but on their homeward route. On the 28th the 
collector arrived, and inspected the Kafila. The merchants presented 
him, as customary, with various articles: we sat mute in our camel 
panniers, and were duly reported as Musdfirs upon a pilgrimage to the 
places of fire worship; our offering to the taxman consisted of loaf 
sugar and tea. Our prodigality was nearly ruining us; fortunately a 
Russian merchant (a Mahomedan who traded to Russia, whose avarice 
