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could find neither tree nor shade to shelter us from the 
burning rays of the sun. We discovered at length some 
little bushes about three or four feet high, in whose 
shade we halted at nine; my tent was soon ready, 
and I hasted into it to get rid of my clothes, for I 
was nearly suffocated. This difference of temperature, 
so contrary to the piercing cold which we had experi- 
enced the preceding Saturday, depends entirely upon 
the wind that blows. 
A light fresh wind having sprung up about noon, 
induced us to set out. We journeyed in the same direc- 
tion until three o'clock, when we turned to the N. W. 
between some low mountains. It was six in the even- 
ing when we arrived at Wadi Firan, or the valley of 
Faran: here we halted as in former times the children 
of Jacob had done. 
The valley of Faran is unequal, and in general cal- 
careous, confined between low mountains. I observed 
some argillaceous fissures among the rocks, with an- 
cient and modern flints. The silicious genus abounds, 
and there is to be found considerable quantities of the 
silex or gun flint. There is scarcely any vegetation, with 
the exception of some fir shrubs. 
I was witness to a very disagreeable scene at this 
place. Forty poor mendicant pilgrims on foot had ex- 
hausted all their water, and being tormented with thirst 
they shed tears, and uttered the most lamentable cries; 
but no one could assist them, for we were in the mid* 
die of a desert, and were obliged to keep the water 
which we had as a treasure. A pilgrim on horseback, 
who had also no water, bought about half a pint from 
an Arab for the value of five francs. I gave some to a 
few of the pilgrims, but how could I quench the thirst 
of all these unhappy people? I was obliged at last to 
