36 A NOVEL AMBULANCE.

We felt a move would have to be made soon, as the dhtirra was getting finished ; the camel-drivers, who supply their own, had exhausted their supply, and we had to give them ours. The party that had preceded us to Cassala had promised to send us some as soon as they could procure any ; but we knew it was not at all improbable that they would not be able to do so until they reached that town themselves. A breakdown had occurred in about the worst place where such a thing could have happened. Those that had gone on ahead had decidedly the best of it ; for although they had left us the cook, and were obliged to do their own cooking, they were spared all anxiety as to what was to be done with Jules.

At last, finding that we could not remain any longer where we were, and by the advice of the doctor, who considered him rather better, and thought that it was important to get him to a place where such things as milk and eggs were obtainable, the order was given to continue our journey ; and we left Wandi on the 31st.

We managed to purchase an angarcb from an Arab. An aiigarcb is a native bedstead, made of wood with strips of rawhide stretched tightly across it. This we fastened to a camel, at right angles to the animal's back, and supported on two boxes : Jules' bed was placed on it, so that he could lie at full length ; and, as a protection against the sun, some men we had hired at Souakim made a matting cover stretched on sticks, and fastened it to the angarcb ; doors were made in it, which could be opened or shut at will. In this way he rode as easily as a sick man could well ride over such a country. We tried hard to get him and the doctor off very early in the morning ; but the camels had been out feeding all night, and took a great deal of catching.

We made a six and a half hours' march, and encamped in a