CHAPTER IV.

Journey continued.— Buck Gazelle shot. — More Trouble with the Camel-drivers.

— A rose-breasted Shrike. — Sand-storm at Ellegua. — Jules taken ill. — Death in Camp.— Takroori Woman abandoned by her People. — We divide the Camp.— Mishaps of those left behind. — Christmas Day at Wandi. — "Molly."

The country, as we travelled on, was monotonous, but not unpicturesque, owing to the hills to our north and south, and the glorious tints caused by the setting sun in a tropical climate.

First, we traversed a sandy stretch with no bushes growing on it, only tufts of dried grass here and there ; then, a patch of stony ground, covered with low mimosa-bushes without leaves, but furnished with horrible thorns ; followed by a similar waste, with the addition of very occasional 7iedduk-hush.QS {RJiammus lotus) This tree bears a fruit very much resembling minute apples in appearance, about the size of a hazel-nut : it is, however, not very palatable, being dry. Juicy fruit is, perhaps, too much to expect in such a burnt-up land.

In some parts of the country, 7iebbukyx\is> are extremely common : they are covered with very formidable thorns, as are most of the bushes and trees of these regions ; the leaves are always green, and, when growing thfckly together, form an all but impenetrable jungle. The fruit is relished by the Arabs, as well as by guinea-fowl, monkeys, and many other animals.

We saw very little game, and what we did see was very shy, and rendered additionally difficult of approach, from the very 27