106 
TRAVELS IN AFKICA. 
Chap. XLI. 
we left this pleasant resting-place, near which is the 
ordinary residence of the keghamma, in the valley 
Kdrafu, and followed a more north-westerly direc- 
tion, ascending gradually from the vale, and entering 
a well-wooded district, where all the grass had re- 
cently been burnt, or was still burning ; and in one 
place it was even with some danger that we found 
our way through the flames. This burning of the 
grass, as I have stated above, seems to be a general 
practice all over Negroland. 
Towards evening the country became quite open, and 
ahead of us a small range was seen, at the western 
foot of which our resting-place was said to be ; but it 
seemed very distant, and it was quite dark when we 
made halt in two separate encampments, not being 
able to reach the point of destination. Our supper 
was very simple indeed ; for, having lost all our pro- 
visions at the taking of the camp at A'lali, we were 
obliged to content ourselves with a few bad dates, 
the only thing we were able to obtain from our friend 
Sheikh Ghet. 
Thursday While our camels and people kept along 
October 23rd. ^ e di rec t Y03i d^ together with the train and 
part of the horsemen, Overweg and I, following 
Sheikh Ghet and his troop, took a more northerly 
direction, and passed the heat of the day in a fine val- 
ley. It was certainly one of the finest vales we had seen 
in the country, except that it did not produce date- 
trees. But the district of Shitati, which we again 
had entered here, seems not to be favourable for that 
