bad 
‘A JOURNEY IN THE EAST, 265 
its reeking feverish atmosphere before twilight came on. A 
splendid sunset, which was followed by a right good dinner, 
wound up this busy day, and all was soon quiet in the 
camp. 
Harly on the 27th we set out, intending to shoot our way 
back to the Abouksor Station, and began by rambling through 
the marsh, where we bagged some snipe and various kinds of 
waders. We next crossed a field, where we got some Buff- 
backed Herons and Spur-winged Plovers, and then reached 
the region of low sandhills, covered with scanty grass and 
stunted bushes, which divides the marsh from the arable land. 
There the dachshunds routed up some hares, and another 
gentleman and I were each of us lucky enough to kill one of 
these strange-looking creatures. 
They were true Desert-Hares—small, lean, long-legged 
animals, like a roe in colour, and with absurdly large, almost 
transparent ears. While in pursuit of the hares we also shot 
a few Egyptian Turtle-Doves and Lesser Kestrels, and then 
sat down for half an hour’s rest just where the zone of sand- 
hills and bushes ended and the cultivated land began. There 
we breakfasted on the cold viands which had been carried 
after us by the Arabs. 
After a frugal meal we pursued our way across fields and 
irrigation-ditches, impressing as beaters all the fellaheen 
labourers whom we could find. Women, children, camels, 
buffaloes, and ploughs were all left standing in the fields, and 
a motley crowd followed us for a promised backsheesh. In 
the distance we saw a fairly large patch of sugar-canes still 
uncut, though the harvest was well forward, and towards this 
we steered with all haste, animated by the highest expec- 
tations. 
While tramping along the embankment of a broad but dry 
canal, we discussed the best way of arranging the beat, and as 
soon as we got to the place posted the guns. 
