I 
412 WEAH. 
undisturbed in the midst of our camels and baggage. There is no 
water at this place. 
"July^l. — As soon as the moon arose, which was about half 
past two, we commenced our morning's march. The air was plea- 
santly cool, and the road, which was good, winded among the 
gullies of the mountains, at times crossing the dry beds of the tor- 
rents. There was at this time little variety of vegetation, almost 
every thing being burnt up : the Acacia, which grows to the height 
of about forty feet, nearly covered the face of the country ; round 
the trunks of this tree were twined the stems of various climbing 
plants, which were completely leafless. 
" We were much gratified, after being wearied with the sun-burnt 
foliage of the Acacia, with the sight of green trees^ at a distance, 
indicating the presence of fresh water. We accordingly soon found 
ourselves on the bank of a torrent called Weah, much discoloured 
by the dirt and rotten wood brought down by it from the hills 
whence it rises. By the side of this stream we hung up the walls of 
our tent on the branches of a tree, resembling the cedar in its 
general growth, except that the boughs droop like those of the 
weeping willow. The quill of a porcupine was brought me by 
one of our attendants. Here also we first saw the duog of elephants, 
though the natives deny that these animals ever frequent this place. 
Hitherto we have journeyed in nearly a south course, varying a 
little to the west, and are, I conjecture, about eighteen miles from 
Arkeko. 
" Our Ascari now conceiving that we had advanced so far into 
the country as to be entirely at their mercy, began to display their 
insatiable rapacity and insolence. The camel master and drivers 
