THE GOHR EL GASCH. 175 On the high bank of the Gohr el Gasch, on our side, stood many pretty large trees, atles and mimosas ; but in spite of the height of the bank, one saw plainly by marks on the trees how high the water rose on them, and that it extended far over its banks, and poured itself into the plain, turning it into a swamp, and, afterwards, giving life to a luxuriance of vegetation unknown to us, and furnishing a shelter and abode to all kinds of animals, and among them many venomous reptiles. The breadth of the Gohr was over fifty paces. Its fall, at least where we saw it, does not seem great its bed was deep, and smootlily covered with sand ; no stones were in either its bed or banks. Its windings are many and varied, and everywhere were to be seen, lying about, larger or smaller trees and bushes, washed loose in the season of its floods. Its direction here was in general south-east to north-west. We rode almost for an hour up its dried bed, and had to guide our dromedaries most carefully, that they might not step into the deep foot-holes of the elephants, which were all over the river bed, and often of such a size and depth, that the camels fell into them, some breaking their legs. To fall with or from a dromedary is most dangerous ; for first the height is something, and then the chances are that the unwieldy and unaided beast falls, with its large, heavy body, on the rider, or sets a foot on him. To jump off it, is, from the form of the saddle and the position of the rider, who sits as if on a stool, next to impossible. The saddle, a skeleton of wood with high cantle behind, and great hook of a pummel, is exceedingly well adapted, either to catch the dress of the rider should lie attempt to leap off, or to smash his l)ones when he comes with his beast to the ground. If the camel falls violently, then from the force of the fall, and the height, the rider is at best pitched over its ears, and runs a good chance of breaking neck or limbs.

To preserve some order in his army in so dangerous a spot, the Pascha caused it to pass this Gohr by divisions ; but still each rode and went as he ])l('ased. In the centre of the infantry was Mohainmed Din, loaded with heavy chains, though on account of his age an ass iiad been furnished him; but the three other prisoners, in spite of tiie chains on their neck and ankles, were obliged, under the horrilde heat, to perform the long niarcli on foot, and certainly Received iio consolation or comfort from tho o