98 MARCH TO 



bones were strewn about on several parts, and on 

 looking up T saw the low cave of a wild beast, 

 whose traces were too recent to leave any doubt of 

 it having only retired upon our approach. We 

 soon emerged from this narrow ravine, and then 

 passed along some broken ground of irregular 

 heaps of boulders and stones, that reminded me of 

 the bottom of some former lake, situated in a 

 country where the fierce rush of water had only 

 allowed the heavier debris of the surrounding 

 rocks to accumulate ; and of this character, I should 

 imagine, was the bursting torrent that at last had 

 made its escape through the pass of Galla Lafue 

 into the sea. 



The Kafilah did not proceed in the direction of 

 the dry stony bed, but turning to the left hand, 

 ascended the sloping banks, which at this point 

 assumed a less precipitous character than imme- 

 diately in the pass. 



Some of the camel-drivers and Bedouins went, 

 however, to pools of water in the neighbourhood, 

 and filled their affaleetahs, small neatly-made kid- 

 skin bags, one of which it is necessary every tra- 

 veller should be provided with, and which, when not 

 in use, is rolled closely up and carried, hanging from 

 the handle of the shield. Mine hung from my 

 saddle-bow, and I generally took care to have it filled 

 before we started in the morning. To-day, how- 

 ever, as I walked with a crowd of the natives, I 

 did not wait for my lagging mule, but refreshed 



