THE SULTAN MOHAMMED ALI 



the Sultan Mohammed Ali entered my boma and 

 advanced towards my tent. I went out to meet him 

 and, as we shook hands, my four askaris each fired 

 one shot in the air and presented arms, while every- 

 body cheered. I could see that he was much 

 gratified with his reception, but as it is not etiquette 

 for a chief to talk to a stranger before he has given 

 the latter a present, he only said that he was very 

 glad to see me, and then excusing himself went off to 

 his village, saying that he would return later, with my 

 permission. Standing about 5 foot 8, he was a short, 

 thick-set man with rather a fine head and strong, clean- 

 cut features ; he was dressed in the characteristic 

 white robe and carried the usual warrior spear, which 

 was noticeable for its splendid black shaft. At dusk 

 he returned together with about twenty-three of his 

 followers, and sat down in front of my tent on some 

 blankets I had provided for them. While " buni " 

 was being prepared for them, I made a long speech, 

 in which I told him that I had been very pleased 

 with the welcome I had received from his subjects 

 farther south, and I went on to explain my plans and 

 to ask them for help. To all this they listened very 

 patiently, and while he was thinking of an answer 

 and drank his coffee, I went into my tent and had 

 supper. But while I was waiting for it they told me 

 that it was time for them to pray, so taking off their 

 sandals and sprinkling their hands, face and feet, 

 they stood up, the priest in front, and with rather a 

 splendid lack of self-consciousness began their prayers. 

 All through supper, I saw their dim forms bending 

 down and prostrating themselves, following the ex- 

 ample of the priest, whose low droning voice rose and 

 fell in a monotonous undertone in the darkness without. 



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