223 
that the Bedouins had presented themselves with a view 
to cat off the rear of the caravan; but our good order, 
some rounds of firing, and the sight of four flags which 
we had with us, caused the robbers to retire; only 
thirty of them had approached, but I perceived with 
my spy- glass about sixty more, who were posted at a 
distance. 
Having quitted this dangerous pass, we continued to 
traverse the same desert, but in a country more open, 
until near six in the evening, when the whole caravan 
halted, and encamped. 
The day had been exceedingly hot and very calm, 
until two in the afternoon; when we were assailed with 
several gusts of scorching wind. The excessive heat 
obliged us to drink at every instant, so that several per- 
sons had already exhausted their water. I also was not 
without apprehension concerning the next day, if the 
heat should not diminish. > 
The spot where we encamped, and which is called 
Dar el Hanfra, is situated half way between Suez and 
Cairo. 
The soil over which we had marched was a con- 
tinued bed of sand, upon a calcareous bottom, speci- 
mens of which appeared now and then above the surface. 
We rarely perceived any plants, and those we saw had 
neither flowers nor fruit. There were several dry thorny 
bushes in the defile. 
The thermometer at half past eight in the evening 
marked 38° 6' o ? Reaumur. Several of the travellers 
who were mounted upon dromedaries, set out during 
the night, by another road leading directly to Cairo. 
Saturday, 13tfi June. 
The fear of being without water made us continue 
