Chap. LX. SAND-WIND AND THUNDER-STORM. 251 
with a most fearful sand-wind, which enveloped the 
whole district in the darkness of night, and made pro- 
gress, for a moment, quite impossible. After a while 
it was followed by a violent rain, which relieved the 
sand-storm, but lasted for nearly three hours, filling 
our path with water to the depth of several inches, 
and soaking us through to the skin, so that our 
march could not fail to be very uncomfortable. 
It was on this account that we took up our 
quarters about half an hour before noon in a farming- 
hamlet called Sanchergu, where the people were 
busily employed in sowing ; the plentiful rain of to- 
day, which was the first of the season, having rendered 
the fields fit for cultivation. After some search, we 
obtained two huts of round shape, which were situated 
near a sheep-pen in front of the dwelling of the 
proprietor. This was a cheerful and wealthy old 
man, who both lodged us comfortably, and treated 
us hospitably. While my people were drying their 
clothes and luggage, I roved about a little, and ob- 
served, at a short distance west from the hamlet, a 
small rocky watercourse with pools of stagnant water, 
where the women were washing their clothes, while 
the slaves were busy in the labours of the field. 
Having rewarded our hospitable host, Saturday, 
we started at an early hour to pursue our June 25th - 
march, in order to reach in time the residence of 
Galaijo, a distinguished chief, of whom I had heard 
a great many flattering reports. It was a fine 
morning after yesterday's storm, and the country 
