His thoughts turned from Timbuctoo to one of the many oases between Tunis and the Soudan.

To most people the word "oasis" evokes palms and sand; but though Morocco possesses many oases it has no pure sand and few palms.

"But they say the soil is fertile and dotted with many oases."

"There are many oases," continued Seguin; "and where water can be used to irrigate the soil, luxuriant vegetation is the consequence.