SOUAKIN TO KASSALA 89 



inhabitants. The Arabs live in " tukuls " or else 

 mud-houses, and the European residences are of 

 the dak-bungalow pattern, furnished with Spartan 

 simplicity. This is not wonderful, as I hear that 

 service is on contract for seven years, and it is rare 

 for an officer to be left over a year in one place. 

 Possibly the new Sudan Civil Service may induce a 

 change. 



November 8th. Being mail-day I read and wrote 

 letters. Arranged to buy camels and donkeys outright 

 for the future. Began to repack with 400-lb. loads. 



November 9th. Continued repacking with 400-lb. 

 loads, and bought rations for two months. 



November 10th. Mainly spent in carpentering, also 

 repacking. Only two camels and two donkeys 

 purchased to date. Am stopping in Irrigation 

 Bungalow well built, but no furniture. 



November llth. Spent entire day in putting a pair 

 of iron hoops round two khajawahs, and then did not 

 finish the job. 



November 12th. Finished yesterday's job and 

 bought balance of camels and donkeys, making a 

 total of eleven baggage-camels, four riding-donkeys, 

 and two baggage-donkeys. 



November I3th. Completed packing of loads, but 

 delayed by unfinished baggage-saddles. Fitted har- 

 ness on donkeys. 



