46 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
first we had seen since we started; it was dirty, but my 
guides pronounced it drinkable. A Gazelle (Gazella dorcas), 
which was quenching its thirst, suffered a near approach, but 
bounded over the plain when we were within sixty yards, 
I often saw these graceful animals, but they were generally 
very shy. When browsing at a distance they look like 
herds of sheep, though a practised eye can distinguish them 
ina minute. Once I was offered a lovely fawn alive, which 
T surmise had been caught in a trap set for Bustards in the 
Lalpha grass. I have seen them in confinement, but I have 
heard that they are very difficult things to rear successfully, 
We were obliged again to sleep in the open air. The 
Arabs kindled a fire, but it was bitterly cold. The wind 
had got up during the day, and at 9 p.m. it rained in 
torrents: of course our fire was speedily extinguished. The 
gusts now howled over the Sahara, vivid lightning shot 
across -the sky, and terrific peals of thunder shook the 
firmament. In vain we shifted to the other side of the 
bush, under the lea of which we had endeavoured to obtain 
shelter: everything was completely soaked. We were in 
the saddle again before daybreak, but my wet burnous 
hung on me like a dead weight. The heavy rains of the 
preceding night seemed to have converted the Sahara into 
an expanse of mud. At length the Mozabite town of 
Berryan hove in sight, and leading our mules up a some- 
what steep ascent, we beheld the panorama of her Palm 
gardens, all of which had been laid under water by the 
recent rains. A carpet was quickly spread in an unoccupied 
house called the guest house, and the chief, with about 
thirty other Arabs, squatted round us ina circle. While 
Mohammed detailed our adventures I produced the cre- 
dentials which had been furnished by the “Commandant 
superieur” at Laghouat, and which were of the greatest 
possible service to us. Let me here thank that gentleman, 
and everyone also who contributed to the success of the ex- 
