222 CHEERFUL BLACKS SOUDAN WEATHER. 
may be honest men — in reality, poor devils obliged 
to beg their way to Aheer. They wander about 
here and there. (I have not seen them this even- 
ing, five P.M.) 
Notwithstanding that the blacks of our caravan 
(mostly slaves) walked on foot fourteen long, long 
hours yesterday, they still danced, and sang, and 
played games in the evening, and kept it up till mid- 
night! How capable are these Africans of bearing 
up against fatigue and toil ! Could we Europeans do 
as they do ? Not even in our own country, and 
under our own climate. 
They afterwards made a collection of small 
articles of clothing, and other little things. I gave 
them a handkerchief, with which they were greath^ 
delighted. 
We had a perfect Soudan atmosphere to-day. 
The heavens were surcharged with clouds, and 
when the sun appeared through them for a few- 
minutes, it was burning, scorching hot. The abun- 
dance of herbage and trees in Wady Jeenanee com- 
bined with these circumstances to show that we had 
entered the gates of a new climate. 
2lst.'^ — We started late, seven a.m., and jour- 
neyed about six hours, the camels eating nearly all 
the way, which gave our Tuarick caravan the ap- 
pearance of a company of Arabs. To-day the herbage 
and trees increased, in abundance and variety, and 
* Here is a day repeated in the journal ; but as it is not of much 
moment, I have made no alteration. — Ed. 
