Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/187

 A SUNSHADE IN THE SAHARA

WALKING AND TALKING

A "ROADSIDE TAVERN"

"four days absolutely devoid of incident!" but this mournful complaint is cut short by an incident which literally throws us into more cordial relations with our companions. An unusually deep rut is the cause of the catastrophe; the rear wheels, with a despairing creak, announce their intention of resting in the rut, while the front wheels and horses, with a praiseworthy ambition to get to Touggourt, continue to advance. Something has to give, and give it does, pitching us forward onto the necks of the startled Arabs, and unceremoniously dumping the driver head-first into the sand. We set to work after a few minutes of dismay, and aided by some passing travelers manage to repair the break with ropes and with straps. Then our desert ship proceeds. At every jog we expect a repetition of the accident, but fortunately the wagon holds together, and we gradually for