ioo LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



CHAPTER VII. 



February I. We have changed our encampment to- 

 day to a place named Emhaggar, on the south bank of 

 the Settite, about twelve miles from El Effaara by camel- 

 track. A prettier spot for a camp could not well be 

 imagined, though the available space is perhaps too- 

 limited. 



It is completely surrounded by trees with over- 

 hanging branches now in full leaf, and the river flows at 

 our feet, though so] quietly that it has more the ap- 

 pearance of a pool, in which on our arrival numerous 

 hippos were seen to disport themselves. Thousands of 

 small birds of very varied plumage are singing in the 

 trees, and on the margin of the water are here and there 

 to be found Egyptain geese and Marabou storks. The 

 opposite bank presents one mass of green from the over- 

 hanging branches of some nabbuks in full leaf drooping 

 to the water's edge. Our arrival, followed by a few un- 

 successful .shots at the hippos, made them very cautious 

 about showing their noses above water ; and as snap- 

 shootinor at them under these circumstances would 



