44 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
by our rest^ and confidently hoped to arrive at Berber in five days. 
A few miles from Abu Hamad we came up to a group of our camel- 
men surrounding one of tbeir comrades_, who was on the ground 
insensible. On inquiry we found that this man_, soon after our 
arrival at Abu Hamad_, had returned the same day with a herd of 
camels to the Wadi Mugram_, where we had slept for a short time 
in the morning. There was fine pasturage ; and thither the camels 
were taken to feed^ and were only brought back an hour before our 
start. The . man had been insufiiciently provided with food_, and^ 
without eating at Abu Hamad^ continued his onward route^ and 
fellj from positive exhaustion_, at the place we found him. Covering 
him up warmly and giving him a restorative,, we pushed on until 
after sunset^ and encamped in a fertile district. The sick man^ 
riding on a camel^ in a short time came up^ accompanied by his 
companions. The cook had prepared him some good soup^ and he 
was soon pronounced well. 
We rested until three o^clock the following mornings when^ the 
moon being favourable,, we determined to take advantage of her 
light. Never from my memory can be effaced the glory of the sky 
— watching the rising and setting of the stars — all becoming 
familiar to us^ and we greeted them by name — until the mighty 
sun appeared,, when moon and stars waxed faint and dim before his 
presence. How soon his rays made glad all animated things ! 
Butterflies flitted about^ insects began to chirp,, and the birds flew 
joyously hither and thither. We also^ feeling its influence^ defied 
our warm mantles^ put on the broad hats,, and gaily bade the good 
morning welcome. 
At eight o’clock there was a dismount,, a rug spread on the 
ground^ and a collation of moist biscuit and dates served. This 
rest lasted only a few minutes. Wistfully the bulk of camels de- 
