26 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



and this morning there were very ominous-looking clouds 

 hanging over the mountains ; but no rain fell, and later 

 in the day the sun shone with its usual intensity. 

 He has already played much havoc with our faces, and 

 few of our friends would find it easy to recognise us 

 now. We found to-day, lying close to our path, a poor 

 dying camel, and eighteen splendid vultures keeping 

 watch over it; and some of them, a little hasty, had 

 already begun to pluck its eyes out. Gumming saved it 

 a little misery by putting a bullet into its head. After- 

 wards we came to a thick shrubbery, and then crossed 

 the dry bed of a river, bordered on each side by lovely 

 green bushes ; and though we could give them no name, 

 it was indeed a treat to find something so refreshing for 

 the eyes to rest upon for a short time. We have halted 

 this evening within half an hour's reach of water, found 

 near the mountains, and we are told that lions abound 

 there. Just before dinner a herd of cattle passed our 

 camp, and in exchange for a few biscuits we procured a 

 jug of delicious milk, with which we mixed a portion of 

 jT~our day's allowance of soda-water. Claret and soda- 

 water are luxuries that we have only brought for the 

 desert journey and the Red Sea ; and, after our arrival 

 at Kassala, whisky will be the stimulant of daily con- 

 sumption, and there is no fear of the supply running 

 short. Considering all things, we live uncommonly well, 

 and have three good meals per diem, luncheon being 



