_Thursday, Dec. 29._--The second guide swam over this morning from Artoli. We started at 7.15, and traversed a magnificent plain, needing only water upon it to make it a most fruitful region. As we approach Berber the houses are better built, and the villages are larger and more numerous. We passed the following in rapid succession: El Bowga; El Hodbab, a very large one; El Abidieh, close to the last; El Farekha; Dangail, where there is a ruin; El Hassa, El Ezarab, Es Sraphine and El Hor. Just before we reached this last place our guide told us that here Sheik Hassan Halifa’s father lived; that he had heard we were coming, and had sent orders to him not to let us pass without coming to dine with him. This is about five miles from Berber. Here the Sheik had come to meet us himself at the house of his father. And what a princely reception it was! The grand old Arab, who is the son of the former king of this country, came out to meet us, and brought us in. The house was ours, and we were free to stay as long as we pleased. The most delicate sherbets were placed before us. A sheep was killed, and a grand banquet served in the most royal style. We were quite surprised and overwhelmed at all this unexpected kindness. But the grand old Arab, under whose father 5,000 men bit the dust in their attempt to defend the country against the Turks, seemed to take a delight in this generous hospitality. At 3.15 P.M. we took our leave, and, following the telegraph lines, entered Berber through a fine broad avenue. Sheik Hassan Halifa accompanied us. On the way two of his men showed us their skill in dromedary racing, and it certainly was quite exciting, especially when the animals became unmanageable and came tearing down upon us, threatening to upset the whole crowd. We reached Berber at 5 o’clock. We went first to the lower landing-place, and then to the upper to select a place for our camp, and finally settled on the former. We pitched our three tents near the water, on the high bluff-like bank. The whole space of both landing places is covered with bales and boxes, etc., etc., showing that considerable business is done here. The people appear very friendly, and we are well pleased with the look of the place. We have come 405 miles on camel-back, over one of the hardest of deserts, and to-morrow morning we don’t propose to get up very early.