TUARICKS — HOW TO AVOID HEAT. 
215 
in the caravan, and that they only wanted a supper, 
having had nothing to eat for fifteen days, we 
determined to carry out our original intention, both 
for the sake of our camels and oursel\^es. That the 
men might be bound to us by the tie of hospitality, I 
presented them with some hamsa, to which En-Noor 
added a little zumeetah, and we determined at all 
hazards to give our camels and ourselves rest. Our 
people, in fact, soon discovered that the Tuaricks 
had brought nothing with them but a single skin of 
water. They pretend they are going to see their 
friends and relations in Aheer, and wish to accom- 
pany us, which our people have politely declined. 
But I must see the end of them before I set down 
an opinion.. 
I wrote up my journal to-day, and am in good 
health. My spirits are a little soured, nay, ex- 
asperated into activity by these constant troubles. 
It is very hot now. I have hit upon a happy con- 
trivance for keepi-ng out the sun from my tent. I 
lay my carpet on the sandy floor of my tent, and 
with my table and the frame of my bed I make a 
wooden covering over. On the top I place my 
mattress and thick blankets. I then lay myself 
down underneath ; and am perfectly protected from 
the sun above, whilst the cool breeze enters at the 
bottom of the tent. There is, then, not a person in 
the caravan who suffers so little from the heat as I 
do. I recommend the plan to travellers. 
These last four days we have made immense 
