So LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



Our original intention on leaving Kassala was to go 

 one or two days' journey along the river Gash in search 

 of elephants, but we have been deterred from doing so 

 in consequence of the river being now quite dry. After 

 the rains, the Gash flows for one hundred days, com- 

 mencing slowly about the middle of July, but when it 

 attains to its full force, at the rate of eight miles an hour. 

 After this period it becomes perfectly dry, excepting 

 some large pools ; and as these also subside through the 

 sand, elephants leave the neighbourhood for the more 

 permanent tributaries of the Nile. We have therefore 

 decided upon continuing our journey southwards to the 

 country of the Hamran Arabs, and after halting at their 

 chief village to look for horses, as it is stated that we can 

 buy them better and cheaper there, to try what sport is 

 to be had in the neighbourhood of a river named the 

 Settite ; and, failing there, to go still farther south to the 

 Salaam river. 



Vivian and Gumming have invested largely to-day in 

 the personal ornaments and armaments of the natives, 

 though at first with some difficulty, as they would not 

 give them up until forced to do so by a soldier. When, 

 however, it became generally known that they were paid 

 for in genuine good silver dollars there was no lack of sup- 

 plies, and a crowd soon collected, ready to sell everything 

 they had upon them. The present is an excellent time 

 to buy their silver trinkets, for next Monday is the Feast 



