Chap. XLI. 
LEFT BEHIND. 
93 
selves comfortable, when a third order was given to 
load immediately and to pursue the march. 
This ordering and countermanding seemed to arise 
rather from the bad organization of a band subject to 
no strict authority, but where every man of any ex- 
perience and a little valour had something to say, 
than with the intention of misleading a lurking spy ; 
but, whatever the cause, it was rather trying, and my 
two men, Bu-Zed and A'hmed, neither of whom was 
very energetic, could scarcely be persuaded to load a 
second time, while all the people were getting ready 
with great expedition, and marched off as soon as they 
were ready. We therefore remained behind from the 
beginning. Unfortunately the load was so badly ad- 
justed that several things soon fell down and had to 
be replaced ; and this happening more than once, the 
distance between us and the host became so great, 
that at last not even the slightest noise could be heard 
of the troop before us to direct our course ; but having 
once noticed the direction by the stars, I was able 
to guide my servants. To make matters worse, the 
ground was covered with high grass, and it was not 
easy to proceed at a rapid rate. Trees were very 
scanty here. 
At length the Arabs became aware of my having 
been left at a great distance behind, and about mid- 
night made a halt, when I overtook them. After 
having lightened my camel, we proceeded with ex- 
pedition through the dark night, illuminated only 
by the distant fires, which gave a painful idea of 
