316 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



gained a great acquisition in the Arab who joined us 

 yesterday as chief in charge of the additional seven 

 camels, for he is very industrious, and though he 

 won't assist the others much he gets his camels ready 

 in good time. To encourage him, we have promised 

 him three extra dollars if he will bring us into 

 Souakim on the /th. His great anxiety is to arrive 

 there in the evening, so that he may be off again before 

 daybreak, for if he is seen by any officials he expects 

 to be forced into the Government service to carry 

 ammunition to Kassala. The rest of our men sent from 

 Kassala are under orders to report themselves on 

 their arrival at Souakim for this duty, and we therefore 

 intend to keep a sharp look-out after them when near 

 Souakim, fearing that they also may leave us stranded 

 in the desert. 



So far we have not come upon our original camel 

 track, and believe we are more to the east and more 

 amongst the mountain ranges. Desolation on all sides 

 is even more complete than before, excepting in the 

 occasional small valleys where dry river-beds are seen, 

 and on each side dome-palms and other signs of vege- 

 tation. In some of these hollows, where water can be 

 obtained by sinking wells, Arabs are generally found 

 surrounded by their flocks and herds. It is fortunate 

 for us that such is the case, for ariel and gazelle are very 



