IBRAHIM SUPPLIES THE LARDER. 311 



deal box, closed in on one side only by wire network, 

 and it is carried on top of a camel-load, much to the 

 apparent discomfort of its inmates. Lorenzo is their 

 guardian, and he thinks he will be able to bring them 

 with us to Cairo. 



April 28. Leaving the baggage party to follow us 

 so that we might make the most of the early morning, 

 we were able to start at 5.30 A.M., halt from 10.30 A.M. 

 to 4 P.M. under the shade of some mimosas assisted by 

 blankets, have luncheon and a nap in the interval, and 

 then go on again until 7.30 P.M. Ibrahim, who accom- 

 panied us on his donkey, gave us good proof of his 

 powers of usefulness. He first caught some goats and 

 milked them for our especial benefit ; and even Ran- 

 furly was able to enjoy the refreshing draught, having 

 quite got over his objection to it, though rice unfor- 

 tunately is as repugnant to him as ever. Further on, 

 he snatched up a sheep from a flock wandering 

 about unguarded ; and having carried it in his arms to 

 his donkey he hoisted it upon the saddle-bags, and then 

 mounting himself behind he trotted up to us looking 

 very proud of his performance. In a country where 

 food is so scarce, it is just as well not to be too par- 

 ticular how it is obtained, so we congratulated him 

 accordingly. 



After a separation of several miles from the flock, 

 Ibrahim thought that his prize might carry itself, so 



