192 RETURN TO EUROPE. 



gone out into the world fifty years ago, was making 

 for India when he was wrecked in the Red Sea off 

 Suakim, stayed there, became a Mohammedan and finally 

 chief of the town. At the same time he had become 

 a rich man. He showed my friend all his possessions, 

 he was only unwilling in spite of all requests to show 

 him his harem, and at last earnestly forbade him to 

 speak about his wives. 



When we had finished our business in Aden I 

 wished to return with Meyer to Europe as quickly as 

 possible by the next steamer of the Peninsular and 

 Oriental Company, the Alma. Messrs. Newall and Gordon 

 contemplated doing the same. When the steamer ar- 

 rived it was however quite full, and they refused 

 to take us. Only through an order of the Governor 

 of Aden, procured by Mr. Newall, were we able to 

 carry out our purpose, though but as deck passengers, 

 no cabins being vacant. We had no objection to this, 

 as during our several months' stay on the Red Sea 

 we had always slept in our clothes on deck, as the 

 heat below was insufferable. 



On board we found arrangements of a really 

 luxurious character, and an elegant social life almost 

 to be styled epicurean, which contrasted strongly with 

 our recent existence. Ladies and gentlemen changed 

 often in the day their elegant toilets, and two bands 

 of music took it in turns to lessen the tedium of 

 the voyage. We appeared very much out of place 

 in our ragged garments in this fine circle, and the 

 glances of the ladies that fell upon us betrayed indeed 



