Evening came on, but I heard nothing of water. We are encamped near a small hill. I looked to-day again attentively at our strings of camels. Instead of five thousand, I do not believe there are more than five hundred. We have few people with us in comparison with the number of camels, and these are many of them slaves of the masters who are remaining behind in Aheer. The disturbed state of the country has prevented many persons of consequence from joining us. To-day, my mahadee brought me an ear of ghaseb, of immense length--about three times the length of the ghaseb grown in Ghadamez and other oases of the Sahara; nine times the length of an ear of wheat. This was found growing on the road, and intimates that we are approaching Soudan very fast. I also picked up to-day camomile flowers and the senna-plant. Explanation of Soudan and Bornou common words for articles of dress, food, instruments for manufacturing:-- _Jebus_, leathern bag. _Foofoo_, paste of Indian corn. _Bouza_, a species of beer. In Waura, near the western coast, it is made of guinea-corn, honey, Chili pepper, a root of coarse grass; in Kanou and Wadaï it is made of only ghaseb and honey, and is therefore more pure and agreeable. It is called by some, acid beer.[13] _Kolla_, the gour-nut, called "African," or "Soudan." _Shea_, the butter-tree. _Manioc_, root. The main article of food in Congo, used as flour. [13] In Egypt it is made of rice.--ED. I trust, under the auspices of a good Providence, to arrive strong in Soudan. There our greatest enemy is fever! I walked a little to-day, and found myself better for the exercise; but, as a rule, I avoid exposing myself to fatigue. CHAPTER IX. Enter the Hamadah--Home of the Giraffe--Water of Chidugulah--Turtles--Cool Wind--Jerboahs--Centre of the Sahara--New-year's Eve--Cold Weather--Birds of Prey--Soudan Date--Burs--Animals on the Plateau--Young Ostrich--The Tholukh-tree--Severe Cold--Eleven Ostriches--Termination of the Desert--Inasamet--The Tagama--Purchases--People begin to improve--Fruit of the Lote-tree--Village roofed with Skins--Vast Plain--Horses--Approach Damerghou--Village of Gumrek--Rough Customers--Wars of the Kilgris and Kailouees--A small Lake--Guinea-hens--Vultures--Party of Huntsmen. _Dec. 29th._--About five hours after we started, the route opened into a _bonâ fide_ hamadah. All around us stretched a limitless plain. Our course lay always south, and we journeyed ten hours, with sand in the evening.