294 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



as his home is near Kassala. As we left Gwayha several 

 of the inhabitants turned out, and for reasons best known 

 to themselves showed a very laudable anxiety to have 

 the last shake of hands. It was then just after sunset, and 

 as there was fortunately a moon we were able to con- 

 tinue our journey for five hours, chiefly through a mimosa 

 wood, and then halt at an uninhabited village of straw 

 huts. All the invalids were mounted on horseback, and 

 Ranfurly has borne the journey fairly well, and the pros- 

 pect of reaching Kassala forms a splendid stimulus to 

 help him on his way. Albert has arrived here, and that 

 is something to say, for three times he would dismount 

 and lie down for ten minutes or more. I remained 

 behind with him, and on the last occasion the Arab 

 guide and myself had the greatest difficulty to get him 

 on his legs and remount him. Somehow or other on he 

 must come if possible to Kassala, for to have left him 

 at Gwayha would have been to seal his doom. At 

 Kassala he has friends, and will have every care taken 

 of him if we can only get him there, but his utter want 

 of pluck makes this far from certain. 



No anxiety about fresh meat for to-morrow, for we 

 have just killed a kid we brought from Gwayha, besides 

 some chickens. As nothing will keep in the present 

 heat more than twenty-four hours, we may find some 

 difficulty in this respect as we proceed. 



April 20. On the march again yesterday soon after 



