LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS, 



CHAPTER I. 



December 1 1. At last our much-talked-of shooting 

 expedition to the Nile tributaries of Abyssinia feels like a 

 reality, for we have set foot in Cairo, and now whilst 

 wandering about in the midst of the teeming population 

 of an Eastern city, jostled by men of all nationalities in 

 their characteristic costumes, it is no wonder that the 

 fact is brought very plainly before our minds that our 

 winter programme has really begun, and that we must 

 set to work in earnest to complete our arrangements for 

 it. Our most important stores, including rifles, guns, 

 and ammunition, were despatched from England last 

 October, and one dragoman has already been engaged ; 

 and as our steamer does not leave Suez for Souakim 

 until the 22nd, we have ample time at our disposal. 

 Our own party at present only numbers four viz., Lord 

 Coke, Sir W. Gordon Cumming, Captain Vivian and 



B 



