e for marching. The baggage camels were brought up, the tents
struck, the animals loaded (we assisting), and every preparation quickly
made. We had hoped to be allowed camels to ride on, but the sheikh
ordering us to proceed on foot, we had no help for it but to obey.

On we trudged all day, under a burning sun, sinking up to our ankles in
the soft sand. Ben did his best to keep up our spirits, talking away,
and even singing; though neither Halliday nor I were able to join him.
When we arrived at night, we had to assist in pitching the tents and
grinding corn; while frequently we were sent to a distance in charge of
flocks of goats. On such occasions, however, we were always separated
from each other, and carefully watched, so that we could not attempt to
make our escape.

The tribe, as it moved along through the desert, had the appearance of a
large army. There were, to begin with, between eight and nine hundred
camels, nearly two hundred of which belonged to the chief; and there
were fully two thousand sheep, and nearly as many goats. There were
also twenty or thirty horses, with a few jackasses; and numerous dogs,
chiefly of the greyhound and bloodhound breed, which were used for the
purpose of killing hares, foxes, and wolves. Each family possessed a
tent, which, with their provisions, water, and effects, was carried by
the male camels, while the young and the milch camels were not loaded.
When we moved on, the sheep and goats of each family moved in separate
droves--the animals keeping close together, and following their
respective shepherds; but when we encamped or met with vegetation, they
were allowed to spread over the country. They were again quickly
collected by the shepherd's whistle, or, if at a distance, by the sound
of his horn. However far-off they might be, the instant they heard the
horn in they all flocked; having been taught to do so from their
earliest days at the appearance of a wild beast, when their instinct
showed them that it was the surest way of escaping from danger. On
encamping at night, the camels and flocks belonging to each family took
up their proper position in front of the respective tents, near the
fires which were immediately kindled for cooking. On several occasions,
when we were in what was considered a dangerous neighbourhood, either on
account of hostile tribes or wild beasts, the tents were pitched in a
large circle, the camels, flocks, and herds being placed in the