EXCITING SPORT WITH A LION. 189 



Arabs are amazed with the success of the sewing-up 

 treatment, saying that according to their method the 

 whole arm would have become swollen, and the man 

 would have been crippled for a month or more. Back- 

 sheesh was of course asked for the return of the horses, 

 and given ; but the special petition of Essafi's father 

 (who is on a visit to us) for some because he prayed for 

 their safe return, was a little too good to be encouraged, 

 though he claims to belong to the priesthood. Essafi 

 senior is a fine-looking old man, who at one time held 

 a very influential position as a Sheik and an owner of 

 several camels and cattle ; but troubles falling heavily 

 upon him, he lost his position and his property, and is 

 now dependent to a great extent upon his son. He 

 came to us originally bringing grain for his son's horse, 

 and he is perhaps not the only instance on record of a 

 man who, finding his quarters as a guest very comfort- 

 able and being in nobody's way, is loth to depart from 

 them until he receives more than a hint that his room 

 would be preferred to his compan}'. 



Feb. 28. Vivian has had an exciting day's sport, and 

 is therefore to be congratulated, as it has been rather 

 slack of late. Hoping to see our friends of yesterday 

 again, he left camp very early with Mohamed, and upon 

 arriving near the jungle was pleased to see the ever- 

 watchful vultures patiently waiting their time, and there- 

 fore showing that the feast was still attended by other 



