May 3rd.—At 6.30. A.M. we left Ghroodwa, and again entered on a barren stony plain; at 12 passed a small wadey called Wad el nimmel, وادالنمّل, (or the valley of ants), from the immense number of those insects, of a beautiful pink colour, which are found there. At 6.40. P.M. we cleared this dreary waste, and entered on a sandy plain, which was in many places thickly encrusted with salt. A few scattered palms, and some ill built and ruined huts, appeared at intervals, betokening the greatest wretchedness. At 8 reached a few buildings of this description, called Dgleim, ظليمر. At 11 the camels arrived. The inhabitants from all the neighbouring villages had assembled here; and I really believe more powder was expended at this place, than at any other we had passed through, although their muskets could not have amounted altogether to more than fifty. The Sultan repeatedly called out, “Enough, Enough!” but the natives only answered by fresh discharges, and exclaiming, “We have plenty of powder.” As I was walking across the little space in which they were exercising, one of the shooters, to do me honour, fired his piece at my legs, which being bare, received above a dozen coarse grains, like small shot. I bled a little, which quite frightened the man, lest he should be discovered. I, however, made light of it, and rubbed myself with salt and water. The dancing ladies were indefatigable; and when I went to sleep at midnight, were making as much noise, and were as active as ever. Mr. Ritchie’s horse had for the last four or five days entirely failed him, and was unable even to keep pace with the camels: he did not come up with us until a little after midnight. As we were only at the distance of three hours from Morzouk, many of the people were occupied during the night in preparations for their entry into the capital.