WHERE THE WILD CAMEL LIVES 835 
sandy desert without water. We resolved we would not 
advance more than one day beyond our last well. When 
we could no longer find water we would retrace our steps ; 
although there is nothing I dislike so much as returning 
over the road I have gone. 
All search the next morning, the 12th February, for a 
more promising spot for a well was fruitless. Kasim there- 
fore set to work again courageously upon the old one, 
and at the depth of 1 3 ft. 8 in. actually succeeded in 
getting water. Its temperature was 5 ^°? Fahr. (137 F.), 
although the surface of the ground was slightly frozen. 
We let down a roughly made ladder to the bottom of the 
well, and with a bucket hauled up the water, which trickled 
very slowly out of a stratum of sand between two strata of 
clay. First of all the camels and donkeys were allowed to 
drink their fill ; then, during the course of the day, four 
goat-skins were filled ; so that we were able to strike camp 
again on the 1 3th with a clear conscience. The camel- 
skin, after its treatment with warm sand, was sufficiently 
light for a donkey to carry, although I must admit he 
always lagged sadly behind. 
