TENTS BLOWN DOWN. 
19 
terrific peal of thunder was heard ; lightning hashed in every 
direction^ and down came the rain. The sight was grand ; the sun 
had set_, and the sky became intensely dark. The figures of the 
men^ as they rushed about the baggage^ vainly attempting to cover 
it_, were revealed to us only when the lightning lit up the sky. 
The storm lasted six hours. No lamp could be kept alight; 
dinner was out of the question. Patiently we sat in the centre of 
the tent^ speculating as to the damage likely to accrue to the 
baggagCj but congratulating ourselves that the journey across the 
desert would be more favourable^ as water might be found in 
Nature^s mountain reservoirs^ hitherto dry. The morning following 
was glorious ; but when we looked at the palm trees, it was sad to 
see them stripped of the rich clusters of dates that had before 
adorned them. The women and children had come from their 
homes and lamented disconsolately. Our horses were in a wretched 
plight — there had been no covering provided for them. Our men 
also had suficred, for they had found no dry place to sleep. 
The day passed quickly : the goods and chattels were inspected ; 
many were entirely ruined. At night another storm came on, ac- 
companied with rain. Our tents were blown down, and no shelter 
was to be had. The people of Korosko were alike destitute of 
cover, their houses being mostly built with a simple roof of matting. 
We, however, would not fancy ourselves inconvenienced : we had 
exercise enough to keep our minds from dwelling grievously upon 
our moist, uncomfortable state, as the horses, terrified at the light- 
ning, constantly broke loose. Mine, Luxor by name, would 
only come at my bidding, and I had indeed to race after him ere 
he could catch the sound of my voice. Then there was the raising 
of the tents — all had to lend a hand. I was once lifted off my feet 
as I held to a rope of the tent, attempting to peg it to the ground. 
2™2 
