camel—nature seems to have formed these animals, for the express purpose of crossing the sandy desarts, and when watered to drink a sufficient quantity, to last them from four to six weeks; was this not the case, they certainly must perish in travelling from well to well, which are situated many miles from each other. For my own part, so great was the quantity of water given to the camels, that I was under very serious apprehension that none would be left for us; for so great was now our thirst, that had we been permitted, we would have gladly thrust in our heads, and drank out of the same trough with the camels; but this we were not allowed to do, nor would they allow us to approach the well, until the camels had been supplied with as much water as they could drink: this being done, the troughs were next filled for us, when we were permitted (in imitation of the camels) to kneel down, thrust in our heads, and drink until we were satisfied. I am confident that I drank three pints, and without producing the serious effects that one would apprehend, after suffering so much from thirst. I now by signs begged of my master for something to eat; but he gave me only a very small quantity of the roots heretofore described, at the same time by signs, giving me to understand that in two or three days, we should reach the place of their destination, where his family dwelt, and who would supply me with as much food as I should want.

The Arabs next proceeded to fill their goat-skins