192 
SAHARAN TRAVELLING. 
half an hour more performing the same distance. 
They started first, and we travel a little faster than 
they. Scarcely a blade of herbage cheered our 
sight to day. A sandy, gravelly hamadah, v^'ith 
a few rocks and sandhills here and there, — such is 
the nature of the country. The rocks now assume 
a conic form, ke ras svker, like a sugar-loaf, as the 
people say. Our course was south-west, and so it 
will continue to be, nearly as far as Esalan. I was 
amused by an observation of Dr. Overweg ; he said, 
" I now understand the system of these people" 
(Saharan travellers). " It is to travel as much as 
possible without labour — to do all that is necessary, 
but nothing more. When we left Tripoli, instead 
of reposing immediately at the camping-ground of 
the caravan, everybody was running about to climb 
the hills and rocks ; but now we all fall down to 
rest as soon as we have halted." The Doctor speaks 
of himself and Barth, certainly not of me ; for I 
always rested as much as possible with the people. 
My old broken white umbrella attracts some 
attention amongst the Kailouees. They all make a 
trial of it. Strong umbrellas would be very use- 
ful during the hot summer months for all Saharan 
travellers. 
I to-day asked the son of Shafou how his father 
liked the sword. An unfortunate question. He 
replied, "Ah, he sends his compliments; but says 
the sword is a little thing, and that you ought to 
have sent him some money. There were many 
