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, 7iebbuk^yx^\i^s> 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

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