ter
which it might still have remaining in its stomach. This I effected,
and having quenched my thirst--to which even the heated element which I
poured down, seemed delicious--I hastened to open the remainder of the
animals before putrefaction should take place, and collect the scanty
supplies in the water-skins. I procured more than half a skin of water,
and then returned to my own camel, which I had laid down beside of,
during the simoom. I sat on the body of the animal, and reflected upon
the best method of proceeding. I knew that I was but one day's journey
from the springs; but how little chance had I of reaching them! I also
knew the direction which I must take. The day had nearly closed, and I
resolved to make the attempt.
As the sun disappeared, I rose, and with the skin of water on my back
proceeded on my hopeless journey. I walked the whole of that night,
and, by break of day, I imagined that I must have made about half the
progress of a caravan; I had, therefore, still a day to pass in the
desert, without any protection from the consuming heat, and then another
night of toil. Although I had sufficient water, I had no food. When
the sun rose, I sat down upon a hillock of burning sand, to be exposed
to his rays for twelve everlasting hours. Before the hour of noon
arrived, my brain became heated--I nearly lost my reason. My vision was
imperfect, or rather I saw what did not exist. At one time lakes of
water presented themselves to my eager eyes; and so certain was I of
their existence, that I rose and staggered till I was exhausted in
pursuit of them. At another, I beheld trees at a distance, and could
see the acacias waving in the breeze; I hastened to throw myself under
their shade, and arrived at some small shrub, which had thus been
magnified.
So was I tormented and deceived during the whole of that dreadful day,
which still haunts me in my dreams. At last the night closed in, and
the stars as they lighted up warned me that I might continue my journey.
I drank plentifully from my water-skin, and recommenced my solitary
way. I followed the track marked out by the bones of camels and horses
of former caravans which had perished in the desert, and when the day
dawned, I perceived the castle of Akaba at a short distance. Inspired
with new life, I threw away the water-skin, redoubled my speed, and in
half an hour had thrown myself down by the side of the fountain from
which I had previously i
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