'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎687] (786/905)

CHAP. XXV.J MARCH OF A CARAVAN.
687
desert will enable it to escape the dangers to which it is liable. Diction of
en camel, which is laden with merchandise, carries two ,1 ' e burthe " ! -
bales of snitable weight, well protected by wax-cloth; besides
these, and some few spare camels, a certain number of animals
are appropriated for the tents, baggage, provisions, and water
of the individuals in charge of the goods, as well as of the
persons belonging to the caravan. One Arab is allotted to
every two, and sometimes only to every three camels. The
march generally continues from seven to ten hours, commenc
ing about sunrise in winter, and in the early part of the night
in summer. The whole body moves in two or three parallel
lines, and, in each, a certain number of animals are united
to one another by ropes, but with sufficient freedom to allow
them to browse on the rhetem and other shrubs which they
may find. On arriving at the destined halting-place, the Arrangments
goods are placed on the ground in a circle, the Arabs assist-^ a a ce h . alting
ing one another to unload the camels; and the latter, after
being allowed to feed for a short time, lie down in a circle
round the goods, within which last the Arabs make them
selves comfortable for the night. The remainder of the camp
is, however, formed without any particular order, except that
it is an object to spread the tents over as little ground as pos
sible, in order to diminish the probability of being discovered.
Baking bread, cooking rice, &c. speedily follow the halt, and,
by the time night has fairly set in, nearly all the fires are
extinguished. With these precautions it is rarely that a caravan
is surprised during the night; and by mutual assistance, during
about three-quarters of an hour at daybreak, it is again set in
motion, the scouts and flankers disposing themselves so as to
obtain timely notice of the approach of an enemy. With the Rate of
exception of halts now and then at certain watering-places, travelling *
the caravan thus proceeds day by day to the end of the journey,
clearing, when in motion, about two miles and a half per hour.
The necessity which every Muhammedan is under of visit
ing the so-called holy cities, has given rise to special caravans,
which, coming from the most distant parts, meet for this
purpose in Arabia. Of the devotees, some come from India,
entirely by sea, by the way of the Arabian Gulf; others come by