The Kasar Janoon, and all the mountains around, were wrapped this day in haze, but loomed gigantically through.  We proceeded, still in sight of this enchanted castle, over the plain, which was perfectly bare and arid, until we arrived at Wady Atoulah, where we found the beneficent ethel and some good pickings for the camels.  Not pausing long here, we proceeded another hour, and encamped in Wady Tahala, just in front of the imposing Kasar, and full in view of the mountains of Wareerat to the east.

The camels suffered much during the day’s march.  The Tuaricks had another knocked up, and we two,—­that of the blacks and one which I had purchased of Mr. Gagliuffi.  The latter could not bring his load, and we were obliged to relieve him of all his burden; a great disappointment to me, for I bought the animal as a strong one, to go up to Soudan.  It was a dear bargain, in comparison with the other camels which I purchased in Mourzuk,—­costing thirty-eight mahboubs and a half.  I must recover the money, and cannot allow Government to lose it.  All our other camels came on well, even those which cost me much less.  The other is still behind whilst I write:  it is an old, worn-out, black Egyptian camel, and cost only eighteen dollars.

I did not feel so much exhausted to-day as usual.  I always take tea and coffee on encamping, which restores my senses at least, and does me much good generally.  I dissolve mastic with the water during the hot hours, and to-day drank at least three pints, but ate little.

The well is east from our encampment two hours, and under the mountains.  There is encamped the Sfaxee, who went by the more difficult route, to arrive at Ghat before us; but it seems he will be disappointed.  He came by the pass by which I returned formerly from Ghat to Mourzuk,—­certainly too difficult and narrow for the transport of the boat.

15th.—­I rose early, and marched about three hours and a half to the well, under the Kasar Janoon; that is to say, four or five miles along the base of the eastern wall of the Kasar.  But this day’s adventures deserve more particular chronicle.

The Germans had determined to go and examine the Kasar, and were about to start just as I came out of my tent.  They had had some altercation with Hateetah, because, partly for superstitious reasons, he would not give them a guide, and they had made up their minds to undertake the exploration alone.  I saw Dr. Barth going off somewhat stiffly by himself; Dr. Overweg came to where I was standing, and asked Amankee, my Soudan servant, about the well near the Kasar, and then also went off.  He said to me, “I shall boil the water on the highest point, and then go along the top to the other end.”  He was taking some points of the Kasar with the compass, and I observed to him, “Take the eastern point.”  Then he started.  Yusuf called out after him, “Take a camel with you, it is very distant.”  Distressed at seeing them go alone, I told Amankee