294 DESCRIPTION OF THE 



our halting-place was Alee-bakalee. In a retired 

 spot, surrounded by trees, I found a large sheet 

 of water, which, according to all accounts I 

 received, is to be found here during the whole 

 year. Returning after a very refreshing bathe, 

 I gathered a quantity of the Indian vegetable, 

 and as all my rice and biscuit were expended, 

 this addition to my present meat diet was very 

 agreeable. Here I also shot a large adjutant bird, 

 exactly similar to those I have seen in Calcutta. In 

 the afternoon, I employed myself repairing the 

 shattered boxes, which had not proved equal to the 

 continual knocking about they were exposed to, and 

 to which the numerous loadings and un loadings of 

 the camels during the long march, contributed not a 

 little. Small barrels, with shut-up tops, would be 

 best adapted for the packing of stores so conveyed, 

 and would suit much better the ingenious, but 

 simple camel-saddle used by the Dankalli. 



This saddle consists of four strong staves, about 

 four feet in length, and as thick as a man's wrist. 

 Two of these are intended for each side of the 

 camel. At the distance of one-third from the 

 upper end are fixed small round pads of matting, 

 stuffed with strips of the palm leaf. These rest 

 on the sides of the hump, and relieve this rather 

 tender part from the pressure of the load. The 

 lower ends of the two staves on each side, are 

 bound together, but the upper extremities, above 

 the pads, diverge to the distance of a foot or 



