Chap. LXXVI. A POISONOUS SPIDER. 
175 
Nevertheless, crocodiles, as well as river-horses, were 
numerous. 
In this unprotected ground we remained not only 
this but the following day, although the place was 
as uncomfortable for the people, who were almost 
scorched by the heat of the sun, as it was detri- 
mental to the animals, who found nothing to eat here. 
The Sheikh had gone in the morning to visit Sadaktu, 
in the island of Zamgoy, and from thence did not join 
us until late in the evening. It was one of the hottest 
days we had had ; and it was here that, about noon, 
we discovered in my tent a large, black, poisonous 
arachnceaj or spider, the body of which measured 
almost two inches in diameter, and whose like my 
companions from Timbuktu had never seen. The 
Tawarek were so disgusted at the sight, that while 
I was looking attentively at it, after we had killed 
it, they threw it hastily away with their swords, so 
that I did not see it again ; but they told me that it 
was the most dangerous and abominable creature 
to be found in these regions. 
The excessive heat rendered a thunderstorm which 
we had in the afternoon of the second day highly 
acceptable, especially as the heavy gale was followed 
by a light rain, which greatly relieved the burning 
heat of the sandy soil. It was highly amusing to me 
to observe also, this time, that although a large leathern 
tent had been pitched for the Sheikh, nevertheless, as 
was always the case when a thunderstorm arose, every- 
body hastened to carry his treasures, especially the 
