19th.—­The three men, supposed scouts or spies, remained with us during the night.  At first, it was proposed to push on, and get as far as possible away from danger; but as our unbidden guests made a great oath that they did not know that there were foreigners in the caravan, and that they only wanted a supper, having had nothing to eat for fifteen days, we determined to carry out our original intention, both for the sake of our camels and ourselves.  That the men might be bound to us by the tie of hospitality, I presented them with some hamsa, to which En-Noor added a little zumeetah, and we determined at all hazards to give our camels and ourselves rest.  Our people, in fact, soon discovered that the Tuaricks had brought nothing with them but a single skin of water.  They pretend they are going to see their friends and relations in Aheer, and wish to accompany us, which our people have politely declined.  But I must see the end of them before I set down an opinion.

I wrote up my journal to-day, and am in good health.  My spirits are a little soured, nay, exasperated into activity by these constant troubles.  It is very hot now.  I have hit upon a happy contrivance for keeping out the sun from my tent.  I lay my carpet on the sandy floor of my tent, and with my table and the frame of my bed I make a wooden covering over.  On the top I place my mattress and thick blankets, I then lay myself down underneath; and am perfectly protected from the sun above, whilst the cool breeze enters at the bottom of the tent.  There is, then, not a person in the caravan who suffers so little from the heat as I do, I recommend the plan to travellers.

These last four days we have made immense progress towards Aheer—­I mean, its inhabited districts.

Wednesday 12-1/2 hours 31 miles. 
Thursday 13 " 32-1/2 "
Friday 14 " 35 "
Friday night to Saturday morning 9 " 22-1/2 "
          
                                        -------
                         At 2-1/2 miles an hour 121 miles.

Sometimes, however, the camels went at least three miles an hour.  We have come, indeed, about 130 miles, and nearly all south; which has brought us so much more within the influence of the climate of Soudan.  On the third day, at noon, the granite region disappeared, and we have now sandstone again.

Some of our servants have begun to feel uneasy, and are becoming troublesome, in consequence of these constant alarms of Haghar.  To do the free blacks justice, they behave well.  Yusuf is getting out of temper, and somewhat changed in manner.  He is annoyed at seeing me not place so much confidence in him as at first; I have reason to be dissatisfied with his carelessness.  Mahommed of Tunis is a good servant, but at times impertinent.