4 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



stand the rough life we expect to encounter, but he 

 declares himself to be thoroughly strong and well, and 

 his perfect knowledge of English and Arabic makes him 

 a valuable addition to our party. He looks like an Italian, 

 but we have not as yet found out his nationality. Still 

 one more addition has been made to our number to- 

 day by the engagement of a cook, recommended by 

 Emanuel, named Mohamed. He at least is not likely 

 to suffer from the heat in the Soudan, for he is a 

 swarthy Nubian, and almost as black as a coal. Having 

 picked up a few English words in Nile expeditions, he 

 would fain have us believe he is master of the language, 

 but this is a minor matter if his knowledge of his special 

 art is a trifle less limited. 



The additional stores we are collecting here are 

 rapidly assuming a rather too imposing appearance, 

 owing to sundry sacks of rice, biscuits, potatoes, camel 

 saddles (which have been made for us), water barrels, 

 and leather bottles ; besides numerous articles of food 

 in smaller quantities and sundry camp requisites, that 

 Emanuel considers indispensable ; among these are two 

 huge traps, with massive chains, which, owing to the great 

 strength required to set them, promise to be a source of 

 far greater danger to ourselves than to any night visitor 

 to our camp. 



2) eCf 1 8. I arrived last evening at Alexandria, and 

 to-day, after seeing our goods cleared at the Customs,. 



