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SADOON. 479 
down from the mountains. This actually took place about noon, 
though there had been no appearance of rain ; but fortunately it 
was not in such quantity as materially to impede our progress. 
Indeed our mules were so well trained, that it was no small obstacle 
whicli could disconcert them; and it was continual matter, both 
for surprise and satisfaction, to see with what care they passed over 
the rocks and loose stones that incumbered the road, as we repeat- 
edly crossed and re-crossed the stream. 
" We passed by a cave inhabited by a family of the natives; in 
it was a woman grinding corn, and some children playing about 
her. The general face of the country began to improve, the vegeta- 
tion was fresher, and we observed a considerable variety of plants ; 
some of them seemed to belong to the liliaceous tribe, and made a 
very beautiful appearance. Captain Rudland killed a curious bird, 
of which I have a drawing. 
" At half past four we arrived at Sadoon, distant, from Ham- 
hamou, according to our computation, about ten miles. This 
station is a small green plot, shaded by the same kind of trees as 
those which we saw at Weah ; it is within a few yards of the 
stream, and is entirely surrounded by woody mountains. As there 
seemed to be a probability of rain, we pitched our tent, and 
stowed within it all our baggage for the night. From the time that 
the Ascari had left us, the nightly watch, which had been kept 
before by ourselves, was entrusted to Pearce, Hamed Chamie, and 
the Abyssinian Christian, and muskets fired at stated intervals. 
The thermometer at day break was 7 7°, and at noon 86°. 
July 54. — Our expectations of rain were happily disappointed, 
for the night proved very fine, though cold. In the morning we 
