178 TRAVELS IN THE 
moned all my resolution, and determined to make another 
effort to prolong my existence. And as the evening was some- 
what cool, I resolved to travel as far as my limbs would carry 
me, in hopes of reaching (my only resource) a watering-place. 
With this view, I put the bridle on my horse, and driving 
him before me, went slowly along for about an hour, when I 
perceived some lightning from the north-east ; a most delight- 
ful sight ; for it promised rain. The darkness and lightning 
increased very rapidly ; and in less than an hour I heard the 
wind roaring among the bushes. I had already opened my 
mouth to receive the refreshing drops which I expected ; but I 
was instantly covered with a cloud of sand, driven with such 
force by the wind as to give a very disagreeable sensation to 
my face and arms ; and I was obliged to mount my horse, and 
stop under a bush, to prevent being suffocated. The sand conti- 
nued to fly in amazing quantities for near an hour, after which I 
again set forward, and travelled with difficulty, until ten o'clock. 
About this time I was agreeably surprised by some very vivid 
flashes of lightning, followed by a few heavy drops of rain. In 
a little time the sand ceased to fly, and I alighted, and spread 
out all my clean clothes to collect the rain, which at length I 
saw would certainly fall. For more than an hour it rained plen- 
tifully, and I quenched my thirst, by wringing and sucking my 
clothes. 
There being no moon, it was remarkably dark, so that I was 
obliged to lead my horse, and direct my way by the compass, 
which the lightning enabled me to observe. In this manner I 
travelled, with tolerable expedition, until past midnight ; when, 
