516 
Riley's narrative. 
which belonged to Sidi Ishem. After travelling 
upwards of a month, they were attacked by the 
Shume, the burning blast of the desert, carrying 
with it clouds of sand. They were obliged to lie 
for two days with their faces on the ground, only 
lifting them occasionally to shake off the sand, and 
obtain breath. Three hundred never rose again, 
and two hundred camels also perished. A more 
dreadful calamity, however, awaited them. On 
coming to a valley called Haherah, which they 
depended upon for a supply of water, every well 
was found dry. After digging with desperation 
every spot where it appeared possible that water 
could be found, all subordination ceased ; a most 
furious quarrel commenced, which soon ended in 
bloodshed* Several hundreds were killed, and 
every species of outrage committed. To escape 
from this horrible scene, Sidi Hamet, with a party 
of his friends, set out for the south, and supported 
themselves by killing camels, till a thunder storm, 
accompanied with copious rain, relieved them 
from the miseries of thirst. Procieeding south- 
wards, they came to the bank of a river called the 
Gozen Zair, described as about half as broad as 
from thie town to the island of Mogadore, that is, 
about fifty yards,* They now travelled four days 
* There must be here some error of the press, as the 
distance of the island is described (p. 4-70-1 ) to be 500 
yards. 
« 
