152 CAMELS THE SFAXEE. 
some good pickings for the camels. Not pausing 
long here, we proceeded another hour, and encamped 
in Wady Tahala, just in front of the imposing 
Kasar, and full in view of the mountains of Wareerat 
to the east. 
The camels sulFered much during the day's march. 
The Tuaricks had another knocked up, and we two, 
— that of the blacks, and one which I had purchased 
of Mr. Gagliuffi. The latter could not bring his 
load, and we were obliged to relieve him of all his 
burden ; a great disappointment to me, for I bought 
the animal as a strong one, to go up to Soudan. It 
was a dear bargain, in comparison with the other 
camels which I purchased in Mourzuk, — costing 
thirty- eight mahboubs and a half. I must recover 
the money, and cannot allow Government to lose 
it. All our other camels came on well, even those 
which cost me much less. The other is still behind 
whilst I write : it is an old, worn-out, black Egyptian 
camel, and cost only eighteen dollars. 
I did not feel so much exhausted to-day as usual. 
I always take tea and coffee on encamping, which 
restores my senses at least, and does me much good 
generally. I dissolve mastic with the water during 
the hot hours, and to-day drank at least three pints, 
but ate little. 
The well is east from our encampment two hours, 
and under the mountains. There is encamped the 
Sfaxee, who went by the more difficult route, to 
arrive at Gh^t before us ; but it seems he will be 
