MERGE TO GYRENE. 
485 
re-assembling our little party, consisting of four, and began once more 
to lead our horses forward who were very unwilling to move. After 
some further search, we came suddenly on a path which crossed us 
at right angles in our course ; and as it was broad and evidently led 
through the wood, we determined at all events to follow it. It con- 
tinued to be practicable and commodious, to our great relief and 
satisfaction ; and we forgot, for a time, all our troubles, in the pros- 
pect of a speedy release from the embarrassment which our trip over 
the hill had brought upon us. 
This path was very fortunately the right one, and led direct from 
Cyrene to ApoUonia ; but as it came into the plain at some distance 
from the point at which we began to ascend, and was wholly con- 
cealed by the wood which covered the sides of the mountain, it 
escaped our observation altogether, till we crossed it at the top of 
the range. After following it for some time we came to an open 
space, and were gratified with a view of Cyrene, which in the course 
of a few hours more we reached, and found ourselves once again by 
the side of the fountain which appeared to us, after our long absti- 
nence, more attractive and beautiful than ever. 
We found on inquiry that our camels and baggage had not 
arrived, a circumstance which rather surprised us, as we expected 
from the view which we had had upon the road that they would 
have been in advance of us. Two men were immediately de- 
spatched in search of them, carrying a skin of water which we knew 
from our own experience would be acceptable, and after sun-set 
we had the pleasure of seeing them arrive without any material loss 
