142 
DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN PASSES. 
steep and lofty mountain ; the path was narrow and wind- 
ing, and presented considerable difficulties, in consequence 
of which all the company were required to alight from their 
camels. I alone continued to ride ; I was so severely 
bruised that I should have found it impossible to walk any 
part of the way. This exposed me to numerous invectives 
from some of the Moors, who threatened to throw stones 
at me to compel me to dismount : those, however, who 
had witnessed my accident took my part, and I was allowed 
to proceed in peace. 
The camels, exhausted by the fatigues of the journey, 
advanced with reluctance, took two or three steps, then 
stopped, painfully turning their heads first on one side 
and then on the other, uttering low moans, while they 
seemed to measure with their eyes the laborious task 
which still remained to be accomplished. It was with re- 
gret that I found myself obliged to continue mounted, for 
I pitied these unfortunate animals. The Moors, walking 
behind, encouraged them with their voices, repeating cer- 
tain words in different tones, in the way of a song, which 
the camels appeared to understand. 
The track frequently passed so near the edge of the 
rock, and was so narrow, that I thought it impossible to 
follow it without being thrown down frightful precipices. 
At length, having with great toil attained the summit, we 
discovered an extensive plain, the soil of which, composed 
of gravel and grey sand, is very hard and interspersed with 
thin flat stones, resembling slates, and of a grey and black 
colour. 
On the 29th, about two in the morning, the soil changed, 
becoming more sandy, and offering some traces of vegeta- 
tion. At daybreak we stopped to perform our devotions ; 
after having returned thanks to God, those who wished to 
precede us set out for the camp upon fresh camels and 
went off at a swift pace. 
