118 
LIONS' DENS EOCK OF MARI. 
in only reported. At least, so say the Tuaricks. 
The supply of salt is inexhaustible. It is, probably, 
on account of the weight of the salt, and the fatigue 
of the camels which carry it, with the distance, that 
this commerce is not very profitable to the Tuaricks ; 
but this can only be ascertained in the markets of 
Kanou, and other large cities of Soudan. There 
are only six months to the rainy season, so I have 
just time to go to Sakkatou and return, without 
waiting long at any of the intermediate places 
between Sakkatou and Kuka. 
Our encampment is under some rocks, where 
are seen the dens of lions. At the mouth of these 
caves or holes are bones of animals and the dung 
of the lions. 
16th. — I rose early, but we did not start till two 
hours after sunrise. The caravan was a considerable 
time in loading. We have only with us En-Noor's 
detachment of the salt-caravan, about 130 camels. 
We may be quicker in our movements to-morrow. 
The first morning of starting is always thus slow. 
We came to-day five hours : passed the picturesque 
rock Mari, like a camel couchant, and entered after 
three hours the Asoudee route, or the direct 
caravan route from Ghat to Damerghou, through 
Aheer. Another detachment of the salt-caravan 
passed or crossed us, and took another route to the 
east. Our course was always southwards, now S.E. 
now S.W., through wadys filled with trees, mostly 
tholukh and its varieties ; the rocks were all granite. 
