36 AFRICAN AVANDERINGS.

of them ; almost all the mounted people galloped like a wild hunt after him, and we also advanced at a sharp trot, to behold nearer the extempore chasse. We fancied our chief had fallen from liis horse, so speedily had he swung himself to the ground, and with three shots he brought down three gazelles, of which, in the evening, we received a good portion roasted. The river is here pretty broad ; on the opposite bank we next morning, when looking about us, perceived some crocodiles. On the river's edge were many very beautiful pebbles ; the banks are rocky and of sandstone, as is also the bed ; pieces of decaying Thorn-mussel were scattered about here and there, but we saw no other shells. In spite of the day being fearfully warm, the march was continued all day till evening. My brotlier, from his great exertions, was taken ill, had violent headache, and felt as if drunk, but luckily slept all night. The plain we had ridden over was monotonous, covered with reedlike mimosas ; tlie soil most sandy.

21th JSIarch. —Joseph cannot rise, has dreadful thirst, and complains that his hair is on fire on his head. We wisely halted here till after mid-day, let the army march on before us, remaining on the river bank till the cooler evening, and then hastened on after the Pascha. On the river's right bank was to be seen the gebl (hill) Job, or Joe, rising up, all isolated, like a pyramid : this hill was visible yesterday. To-day two other large hills have come into sight, one in the east, the other to the south. We have remarked that the birds gradually return after the army has passed on, and we only remain. The left side of the river is not cultivated, the right very much so ; many large fields of durra and doggen (Sorghum saccharatum). Topschi Baschi lent my brother his easy-going mule, which gave him great relief. Gazelles were seen in large herds, hurrying back from the desert, here very sandy and deep, to the river, by paths worn by their own feet. At our camping-place to-day the heat was so great, that guns and sabres, even under the tent, could hardly be laid hold of. For the first time, the soldiers had flesh served out to them, and each captain got a sheep ; on every camel and ass flesh was to be seen hanging, and the birds of heaven often approaclied most near to these, in their nostrils, sweet-smelling scaflblds. The right bank of the river, for the last two days' march, was tlie