Chap. LXXIV. RETURN WESTWARD. 
115 
My protector was well aware of the state of my 
feelings, and while the people were loading the camels 
he came to me, and once more excused himself on 
account of this retrograde movement. There were, 
besides myself, some Arabs of the tribe of Gwanin, 
who wanted to go on to Ghergo, in order to buy 
tobacco, and who now likewise were obliged to re- 
turn once more to the westward, as they had no 
guarantee for their security in making the journey 
alone. 
The splendid river along the banks of which lay 
our road, and which here was about half a mile 
across, afforded the only consolation in my cheerless 
mood. The junction of the two branches, as seen 
from this spot, presented a very fine spectacle. The 
gerredh trees also, which were in full blossom, at- 
tracted my attention. 
Keeping a little nearer to the sandy downs, we soon 
reached the place of our former encampment in Taii- 
tilt. Having then passed along the small back- 
water of Barkange, the volume of which had greatly 
decreased in these few days, we encamped about 
four miles beyond, in the open swampy ground which 
we had had such difficulty in crossing on our out- 
ward journey. It is called Erasar. In this low 
ground, between two swamps and about 800 yards 
from the bank of the river, without the shade of the 
smallest tree, the Igwadaren had encamped. It was 
owing to these swampy sites that I was afflicted with 
those severe rheumatic pains, from which I afterwards 
I 2 
