122 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



by asking for baksheesh, but was instantly hustled off by 

 Emanuel. He may think himself fortunate that his 

 friends are not cannibals, for he is now in prime condi- 

 tion for killing. Emanuel thoroughly understands how 

 to deal with our Arab party, and is just firm enough 

 with them without using the koorbatch to make them 

 really fear him and obey his orders, though they know 

 they have in us a court of appeal. They muster strongly, 

 for besides there being one man to each camel there are 

 one or two volunteers, only too pleased to be allowed 

 to join the circle and pick up what they can of the good 

 things going. 



I shot a very fine bull buffalo in the morning, after a 

 most exciting chase on horseback. The first ball struck 

 him in the shoulder and brought him to bay under a big 

 mimosa, where he was finally despatched after a hard 

 struggle for life. Though it was the finest head yet 

 brought into camp, Vivian shot another in the after- 

 noon which again surpassed it. They certainly are noble- 

 looking animals with smooth black skins and well-deve- 

 loped hind-quarters, and the hide, especially about the 

 neck, is of immense thickness. Their horns meet across 

 the forehead, and are so wide at base that they almost 

 entirely cover it ; and then, after projecting directly out- 

 wards, rapidly diminish in size as they curve inwards 

 again, and come to a point. Filet de buffle is one of 

 our favourite dishes for dinner, but Mohamed turns 



