could expect to preserve my life; but he always, by signs, gave me to understand that it was the property of another, who would not be prevailed upon to part with it.

The desart now before us had the same sandy appearance we had before observed--all was a dreary, solitary waste, without a tree or shrub to arrest the view within the horizon. We continued on our route, however, as well as our situation would admit, until an hour after sunset, when the Arabs pitched their tents as usual, and we were permitted to retire to rest, although our extreme hunger (having eaten nothing but a morsel of camel's flesh for the last 24 hours) deprived us of sleep. In the morning, so reduced were many of the captives by fatigue and hunger, that they were scarcely enabled to stand on their feet. It was in vain that the cruel Arabs beat them unmercifully, to force them to renew their journey; their legs were too weak to support even their emaciated bodies. The Arabs became at length satisfied that food must very soon be obtained or they should lose some of their prisoners. While they were debating on what was to be done, the fresh track of camels were discovered by some of the company, a short distance to the west of where we were encamped. The Arabs seemed overjoyed at the discovery, and eight or ten of them, mounted on the best camels, set out in pursuit of the travellers, to beg a supply of provisions, if friends, and to take it by force, if enemies.