ARAB CATTLE. 261 



CHAPTER XV. 



March 28. We have to-day turned our steps home- 

 wards, leaving the special home of the rhinoceros and 

 lion to the new arrivals, and have encamped upon our 

 old ground, named El Effaara. Approaching it, we saw 

 immense herds of cattle being driven into the country 

 from the villages to feed on the dry grass, and our 

 hunters at once galloped off to the drivers to get some 

 milk. This entailed our following them for some dis- 

 tance, until the halting-ground across the river was 

 reached. The cattle, parched with thirst, on approach- 

 ing the river rushed headlong down the steep bank to 

 drink, and afterwards so enjoyed fording the river 

 that they took their time about it, wandering up and 

 down in mid-stream until driven out ; whilst the calves, 

 of which there were a goodly number, finding it neces- 

 sary to swim, lost no time in reaching the opposite bank. 

 These cattle are very varied in colour and shape, and 

 are as a rule about the size of an Alderney. They have 

 the one general characteristic of marvellous leanness, 

 and as regards their milking powers, one good English 



