UNCLE SAM'S INVITATION IS REFUSED. 127 



a stone previous to commencing his work of skinning, 

 &c. The tetel, however, suddenly awaking to the fact 

 of the unpleasant society he had fallen into, jumped up 

 and went off on three legs at a highly creditable pace. 

 Mounted on their horses, they soon came within sight of 

 him again, and after a short chase he had to succumb to 

 his fate. 



Whether Said has an idea that chased tetel is like 

 coursed hare is not known, or whether the run gave a 

 special stimulus to his appetite, but at any rate he de- 

 cided upon dining ; so the skinning process having been 

 completed, he opened the body and carefully removed the' 

 liver. This he cut up into small pieces, which looked so 

 good that Coke almost felt inclined to taste it ; but the 

 dish was not yet prepared, for it was minus sauce, and on 

 this point at least their tastes so decidedly differed that 

 poor Said had to dine alone a simple repast of pieces 

 of raw liver with the gall squeezed over them, besides other 

 additions which need not be mentioned. Our hunters 

 afford us much amusement, and each has his own little- 

 peculiarities, but superstition reigns supreme with them 

 all, excepting perhaps Essafi unless he keeps them more 

 to himself. The others have great faith as a source of 

 luck in picking up a bit of the droppings of any animal 

 they may be in search of, and after mixing it with an 

 equal portion of tobacco and charcoal, they fold up the 

 mass carefully in a corner of their garment, not, however, 



