I 
CHAP. II. JOURNEY TO MORZOUK. 87 
huts, containing about fifty people, who appeared a ragged drunken 
set, as the immense number of tapped palm trees testified. From 
the ruins of some large mud edifices, this place seems to have once 
been of more importance. The palms, which extend for ten or 
fifteen miles east and west, are the property of the Sultan, and 
appear in worse condition than any we have seen. 
May 3rd. — ^At 6. 30. A. M. we left Ghroodwa, and again en- 
tered on a barren stony plain ; at 12 passed a small wadey called 
Wad el nimmel, JJiJ^Jb)^, (or the valley of ants), from the immense 
number of those insects, of a beautiful pink colour, which are 
found there. At 6. 40. P. M. we cleared this dreary waste, and 
entered on a sandy plain, which was in many places thickly 
encrusted with salt. A few scattered palms, and some ill built 
and ruined huts, appeared at intervals, betokening the greatest 
wretchedness. At 8 reached a few buildings of this description, 
called Dgleim, At 11 the camels arrived. The inhabitants 
from all the neighbouring villages had assembled here ; and I really 
beheve more powder was expended at this place, than at any other 
we had passed through, although their muskets could not liave 
amounted altogether to more than fifty. The Sultan repeatedly 
called out, " Enough, Enough !" but the natives only answered by 
fresh discharges, and exclaiming, " We have plenty of powder." As 
I was walking across the httle space in which they were exercising, 
one of the shooters, to do me honour, fired his piece at my legs, 
which being bare, received above a dozen coarse grains, like small 
shot. I bled a little, which quite frightened the man, lest he 
should be discovered. I, however, made hght of it, and rubbed 
myself with salt and water. 
The dancing ladies were indefatigable ; and when I went to 
sleep at midnight, were making as much noise, and were as active 
as ever. Mr. Ritchie's horse had for the last four or five days 
