78 PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. 
houses. Some of them build in the court a small hut of 
mats, in which during summer they live day and night ; the 
chambers being too warm. 
A chamber similar to those I have above described was 
allotted to me ; but I had well nigh been suffocated in it. 
1 found it impossible to endure the heat, especially in the 
night. But what could I do in a country where there is not 
a tree to cast the least shade ? My only refuge was a 
mosque which was the coolest and most airy place I could 
find. The east wind too, by raising clouds of dust, darkens 
the atmosphere and augments the heat. The inhabit- 
ants stay within doors during the heat of the day, and only 
go out in the mornings and evenings. The nights bring 
with them an oppressive calmness of the atmosphere, and 
if by chance there is a breath of air, it is felt like a burning 
vapour, and seems almost to scorch the lungs. I was con- 
tinually ill at Timbuctoo. 
The caravan destined for Tafilet was not to leave Tim- 
buctoo for some days, and J was informed that the next did 
not start for three months ; I therefore determined to take 
advantage of the earliest conveyance ; for 1 dreaded so long 
a stay at 'i imbuctoo, notwithstanding the reiterated invitations 
of Sidi-Abdallahi, who recommended to me to take the 
route of Tripoli by Ardamas rather than that of Morocco. 
He told me that he had intended to make a collection for 
me, but that my speedy departure afforded him no time to 
do so. He assured me that, if I would remain with him 
some months, my subsistence should cost me nothing. I 
scarcely knew how to decline such kindness, but I had 
formed my determination ; I excused myself to Sidi, by 
tellmg him that I was afraid to travel in the rainy season, 
and finding me obstinate he looked out for a good guide to 
conduct me to Tafilet. 
The Moors in whose company I was about to travel 
