The latter were excellent of their class, and now far excelled the other transport animals, marching along with ease under loads of about 600 pounds each.
My caravan was at the rear of the trader's party; but the ground being good we left our people and cantered on to the advanced flag.

It was curious to witness the motley assemblage in single file extending over about half a mile of ground.

Several of the people were mounted on donkeys, some on oxen; the most were on foot, including all the women to the number of about sixty, who were the slaves of the trader's people.
These carried heavy loads, and many, in addition to the burdens, carried children strapped to their backs in leather slings.

After four or five hours' march during the intense heat, many of the overloaded women showed symptoms of distress and became footsore.

The grass having been recently burned had left the sharp charred stumps, which were very trying to those whose sandals were not in the best condition.