COKE'S CAMEL SHOWS OFF HIS PACES. 19 



of their party (numbering eleven) objected at first to 

 eat it. Hunger, however, must be a desperate tempter, 

 especially when tickled by the sight of others gorging, 

 and therefore it was not surprising that the religious 

 scruples should soon be forgotten, and all found squat- 

 ting round a mangled corpse and thoroughly enjoying 

 the bloody feast. 



The two tents we have pitched were supplied by 

 Messrs. Edgington, of London Bridge, and chosen by 

 Coke, and they seem particularly well adapted for our 

 work. Supported on a central pole having four arms, 

 which when in position project at right angles at some 

 distance from its summit, each tent is made to cover a 

 twelve-foot square, and only requires a few pegs to be 

 driven in to keep two sides fixed, whilst the other two 

 can be left open to allow of a free current of air. 



Dec. 30. Though all were up by 6A.M., it was 9 A.M. 

 before we could get our lazy camel-men to complete 

 their work of lading. The camel-saddles made for us 

 at Cairo are very imposing-looking, and even comfort- 

 able, considering the creatures we have to ride ; for we 

 have been obliged to hire for personal use the ordinary 

 baggage camel, which differs as much from the better 

 class camel or dromedary as a carthorse does from a 

 racehorse, though it is not, as many people think, a 

 distinct species. Coke has had an unpleasant experience 

 to-day of their rough action, for his camel, taking fright 



C 2 



