Half an hour was spent in this pleasant oasis, which was constructed by the late Djam, after infinite trouble and expense, by means of irrigation from the Purali river.

There are also two deep wells of clear water in the grounds, which are never quite dry even in the hottest seasons.
Proceeding homewards, we had scarcely reached camp when a terrific thunderstorm burst over our heads.

The thunderclaps were in some instances nearly a minute in duration, and the lightning unpleasantly close and vivid.
The weather clearing, I visited the bazaar in the evening, under the guidance of my old friend, the Wazir.

Trade is, as I have said, practically _nil_ in Beila, and the manufactures, which are trifling, are confined to oil, cotton, a rough kind of cloth, and coarse carpets; indeed, throughout the country, commerce is almost at a standstill.
This is scarcely surprising when the semi-savage state of the people, and consequent risks to life and property, are taken into account.

The export trade of the interior is, though trifling at present, capable, under firm and wise rule, of great improvement.