_ 418 _ far as Aleppo, saying that he could not find anyone to risk such a dangerous journey for two people going alone. The wild animals would eat them, he said. It seemed that the Sheikh thought he would be sending him to his death to provide him with a guide and did not want to assist his departure in any way. However, Antonio Tenrreiro insisted on going and when the Sheikh saw his courage and persistence, he praised him highly. Thus, he gave him a guide to help him because on that route there were winds like those at sea and no roads or inhabited places, save two Arab castles. Antonio Tenrreiro and the guide set off at the beginning of November at two hours after midnight, in order not to be seen. Each ride a dromedary which can travel twenty-five to thirty leagues in a day and a night. They eat no more than a quarter of a bushel of flour once per day and drink every fifteen days. They carried their provisions with them of dates, biscuits, flour, butter, boiled beef and water. On leaving Basra they went forward into that dreadful desert where there is nothing but wild animals such as bears, tigers, lions and wolves. They went as far as they could to avoid the Arabs, who travel about the desert, setting up temporary
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