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Rh the rations was the most disagreeable part of the day’s work; for m addition to being already well tired and desiring repose, exhausted and famished men had to superintend the preparation of unsavoury meals, and postpone rest found in sleep of which they stood sorely in need.

In this unsatisfactory way we continued to push on from one day to another, until at length the beasts of burden having been fairly beaten down, we were compelled to part with our baggage, and “stow away” upon our horses, and about our own persons some indispensable things for our use on the road. And that night, after receiving many uneasy salutations — in the way of salams — from our servants and camp followers, whose countenances showed apprehension at being forsaken, without even a guard, to follow us as best they could, we struck into a well-trodden path running over low, sterile lands in a south-easterly direction. 