We made fourteen hours that day, and felt dreadfully exhausted on arriving at the place where we expected to encamp for the night.  In two hours, however, the Kailouees came and told us that there was no more water in the skins; that the camels were restless, knowing that a well was ahead; and that it was better to move on at once, and make for the well of Aisou, that marks the commencement of the Aheer territory.  We started, therefore, again, although I was suffering from illness, and moved on all night, nodding in our saddles in a half-slumber, that to those unaccustomed is almost more fatiguing than watchfulness.  Several times I felt inclined to insist on a halt; but the people, who were eager to arrive, cried out that the camels wanted to reach the water; and proceeding accordingly, about seven o’clock the next morning we at length reached the Seven Wells.  We found only two open, the others being closed up by sand.  Some of them belong to the Kailouees, and the others to the Tuaricks of Ghat.  There is no good feeding for the camels, only a few tufts of coarse herbage.  The kingdom of Aheer presents itself under grim colours.  I did not move about this day, but consecrated it to rest.  The rocks of Asben rise above the horizon.

18th.—­Bidding adieu to the land of Ghat—­if that name can be applied to the desert which we have just traversed—­we left the Seven Wells, and once more entered upon the desert.  We had scarcely been in motion two hours, when there was an alarm of Haghar coming upon us from behind.  I did not at first know how the report originated, and looked anxiously around upon the desert expecting to see a body of enemies charging down some valley.  All the people ran for their guns, and I hastily delivered out powder and ball.  It was amusing to see the slaves with their bows and arrows, coming forward and trying to look martial.  I have no doubt they would have done their best.  When the tumult was a little calmed, I learned that two of our people, who had remained behind a short time at the wells of Aisou, saw a Tuarick coming up to the place, and, two others slowly following, all three mounted on tall maharees.  They spoke to the one who arrived first, and inquired if many were behind.  To this they received a laconic answer, “Yes.”  One of them accordingly, feigning to retire, left his servant hid behind a rock to watch what took place, and ran after us to communicate the unwelcome intelligence, that we might expect an attack.  We marched the whole day with our weapons in hand, keeping a sharp look-out in the rear.  Of course there was no other subject of conversation than the robbers, of whose existence our fears made us certain.  Were they, after all, led by that Sidi Jafel, of whom rumour had lately become so complimentary?  Whence did these encouraging accounts come?  Were they circulated by persons interested in putting us off our guard?  Discussing these questions, we pushed on through a