On the 30th of September, the camp broke up, and we advanced nine miles to the north, over a sandy soil covered with khakham. As I wore sandals only, after the Moorish fashion, I suffered extremely from the prickles of this plant, and my feet and legs were covered with blood. I asked several of the Moors to take me up behind them on their camels, but they said that their beasts were weary, and I must apply to the king who would furnish me with one. The king was gone on before, and I had lost sight of my marabout, so I had no hope except from the pity of those who were near me. I tried again to persuade them, for I was exhausted with pain and fatigue, but in vain; I got nothing but raillery in answer to my entreaties; and I was told that I should win heaven by suffering with patience. They spoke the truth; but I am sure not one of them would have taken my place to earn heaven at this price. If they had even left me alone in my misery, it would have been more bearable; but the young princes, mounted upon their fine horses, came bounding about me, running against me, and rallying me upon my dress, which consisted only of a coussabe[19] made of coarse blue pagne, and falling to pieces. I found on the road some water-melons, which I ate to quench my thirst, and when it became still more intolerable I was forced to beg some water, with my beads in my hand, and then I sometimes succeeded in obtaining a little. At last, about eleven o’clock we stopped near a lake called Tobaïti. I perceived the tent of the king, which was pitched, and thither I went to rest myself. Several marabouts came and took out the numerous thorns which had run into my feet, and the king appeared sorry to see me suffer; he assured me that if he had fallen in with me by the way, he would have ordered a beast for me, and he sent me some milk and some water to refresh me. When I had rested a little, I went to the tent of Fatmé-Anted-Moctar, the residence which had been assigned me. In the evening, at the usual hour, milk was distributed among us for supper, and as soon as I had received my portion, I inquired if there was any body to be found who would exchange a little sangleh for milk; upon which I was referred to an old female slave who was seldom without it. She accepted my proposition and gave me a little at the time, promising me the same quantity every day. I, on my side, promised her a reward. This poor creature was in the habit of going, when her master could spare her, to pick up haze for her subsistence; she only received the milk of one cow for her share, and care had been taken to allot her one of those that gave the least; nevertheless, in her forlorn state, she found means to soften my lot; so true it is that the wretched are the most compassionate. During the whole week that I remained after this time in the camp, she did not fail once to bring me a little calabash of sangleh.