Thus prepared, we set out, none of the captives being allowed to ride but myself. The unmerciful Arabs had deprived me of my gown, bonnet, shoes and stockings, and left me no other articles of clothing but my petticoat and shimmy, which exposed my head, and almost naked body, to the blazing heat of the sun’s darting rays. The fate of my poor husband, and his companions, was however still worse! the Arabs had divested them of every article of clothing but their trousers; and while their naked bodies were scorched by the sun, the burning sand raised blisters on their feet, which rendered their travelling intolerably painful. If any through inability slackened his pace, or fell in the rear of the main body, he was forced upon a trot by the application of a sharp stick which his master carried in his hand for that purpose.

About noon, we having signified to the Arabs our inability to proceed any further, without some refreshment, they came to a halt, and gave us about half a pint of slimy water each: and for food some roasted insects, which I then knew not the name of, but afterward found were locusts, ⚫ which abounded very much in some parts of the desert. In my then half starved state, I am certain that I never in my life partook of the most palatable dish with half so good an appetite. Having refreshed, we were again hurried forward, and were not permitted to stop again until about sunset, when the Arabs came to a halt for the night, and pitched their tents; my