A DUST-STORM. 
437 
out a struggle. While crossing to the hill above men- 
tioned, we saw at its base what seemed a lake with 
boats upon it ; our Seedees at once said, " Let us go for 
water, let us fetch wood." It was a mirage, the Bahr 
Belama, or false sea, seen about two in the afternoon 
in the most fantastic shapes, wherever there was a hill 
to obstruct the current of air. There was a good deal 
of bantering amongst the Seedees after the mirage was 
discovered, each trying to dupe his neighbour into 
walking over to it. We had been in the saddle from 
noon till sunset, when we dismounted for two hours 
to allow our camels to eat their corn, and then we 
proceeded again, sailing over the plain of gravel till 
near daylight. This was our first severe night. I felt 
as sleepy as if I had been drugged ; even walking now 
and then at a brisk pace scarcely kept us awake. 
6th. — We had rested well at Aboo Inteh Shurrut, 
with the glorious heavens for our canopy, and jumped 
up off our blankets light and joyous, and were saddled 
by sunrise, having, with the aid of some of our fire- 
wood, got a luxurious cup of coffee. We had two 
severe days' work before us. First, we had to reach 
Furoodh, a four hours' morning ride across a hard 
plain, with solitary hills in the distance, and mirage 
near them. Then we had an afternoon march to Ta- 
boon, or Taban (trouble), where the camels were baited. 
Here, the place, true to its cognomen, gave us the 
benefit of a dust - storm : the bank of cloud rolled 
on from the east — every one lay upon his face ; the 
camels turned their backs and rested their long necks 
on the ground ; the lights were blown out, and for a 
minute, while we were pelted with sand and gravel, 
all was dark. The blast, however, was soon over. We 
