132 
REACH THE CARAVAN. 
ploughed up as by a torrent from the skies and 
few rocks in tlie Sahara are without water-marks. 
The rain-water at our camping-ground has an 
excellent flavour, and I drank of it eagerly. 
Round this pool we at length found the caravan 
waiting for us to come up. The Germans and all 
others were well, except the Sfaxee, troubled with 
a little fever. Mourzuk is a bad place to break 
down the health and spirits, and those that became 
faint-hearted there would probably have persevered 
had they got out into the bracing air of the desert. 
The Tuaricks are very quiet. I sent word to 
Hateetah that it was impossible for him to take 
presents from the Germans, as it was contrary to 
the orders of Government. Shafou's son is very 
mild and circumspect. 
Here also was Mohammed Boro, and although 
I had written strongly to Tripoli about him, I 
considered it advisable after all, immediately on 
arriving, to try and make friends with him. So 
I paid him a visit, and told him that when the 
Tuaricks had conducted us to Aheer we should, 
of course, place ourselves under his protection, that 
we might proceed to Sakkatou. I sent him, also, 
some hamsah and dates. This gladdened him 
much, for he is very short of provisions, and has 
many servants with him; amongst the rest, two 
or three female slaves, one of whom, a fat, buxom 
girl, must require prodigious nourishment. 
When the pool of Ailouah is not filled by rain- 
