DADDAHTJE. 99 



myself, when thirsty, at the little cup-like depres- 

 sions in the cellular blocks of lava that had 

 been filled by a shower of rain the preceding night, 

 but which had not extended to our camp at Seg- 

 gallo. We crossed an extensive plain of loose 

 volcanic stones, where we marched as if we were 

 passing upon stepping-stones over some brook in 

 England, and as this uneasy kind of walking was 

 compulsory for some hours, it became very tiresome, 

 and I felt a great relief when we came to a district 

 which did afford a little more opportunity for some 

 stunted and straggling mimosa-trees to bloom, but 

 with a very melancholy dirty green verdure. Our 

 path was here greatly improved, but just as I was 

 congratulating myself upon the change, and 

 thinking I should be able to continue walking 

 another hour or two, we came upon the Kafilah, 

 which had started the day before us from Dulhull, 

 and to whose farther advance some obstacle had 

 arisen. This induced Ohmed Mahomed, our Has, 

 to halt here also, and in the course of the day I 

 was enabled to learn the cause of our detention, which 

 had surprised me ; for, but a short time before we 

 halted, Ohmed had told me, with evident sincerity, 

 that he intended us to proceed for two more hours. 

 The camels being unloaded, my hut was built as 

 usual, into which I retired with some pleasure, the 

 day having been exceedingly hot, and the long 

 fatiguing march of at least five hours, had com- 

 pletely wearied me. I slept for two or three hours, 



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