On the morning of May 31 our men were in no haste to bestir themselves after the orgy of the preceding night, and we indulged in a longer rest than usual. The weather was fine and clear, but remarkably cool considering the moderate elevation of this district. By our observations our camp stood at 1,562 feet (476·3 m.) above the sea; yet at 8 A.M., when the sun was already high above the horizon, the thermometer marked only 65° F. It was suggested that politeness required a visit to the old Governor, and Hooker, with our interpreter and some of the escort, devoted himself to that duty, while Ball set off alone for a short botanical ramble over the bare, stony hills surrounding our camp. The excursion was not very fruitful, except in the way of illustrating the effects of barren soil and exposure, without the slightest shade or cover, on the growth of many species that here assumed a dwarfed and stunted condition. Hooker, who had seen too much of the people of barbarous countries to be open to the illusions that many travellers, new to their manners, readily fall into, was, for once, very favourably impressed by his interview with the Governor of Shedma. He had found an old man of venerable aspect, with remarkably fine features, whose conversation displayed a happy union of dignity and frankness. He was engaged in superintending the distribution of pay to his soldiers, and the subject that naturally arose for discussion was the part which he and his forces were destined to play in the intestine troubles of their neighbours. His instructions from the Sultan were, as it seemed, of an indefinite kind. He had, in the first instance, endeavoured to play the part of mediator and avert the outbreak of hostilities. His present duty was to hold himself in readiness to carry out such further orders as he might receive. Considering the jealousies that always exist between the people of neighbouring provinces, usually inhabited by tribes of different race and origin, it may be doubted whether the troubles and losses of their neighbours are in Marocco viewed as matters of deep concern; or whether, as sometimes happens among the statesmen of more important countries, the mediator may not feel some secret satisfaction at the failure of his own proposals.