<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. 



Early 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. 



