A start was therefore generally made before it was light, and by 11 a.m.the day's work was over, tents pitched, camels turned loose, and a halt made till three or four the next morning.

Though the sun at midday was, with the total absence of shade, dangerously powerful, and converted the interior of our canvas tents into the semblance of an oven, there was little to complain of as regards weather.

The nights were deliciously cool, and the pleasantest part of, the twenty-four hours was perhaps that from 8 till 10 a.m., when, dinner over and camp-fires lit, the Baluchis enlivened the caravan with song and dance.

Baluch music is, though wild and mournful, pleasing.

Some of the escort had fine voices, and sang to the accompaniment of a low, soft pipe, their favourite instrument.