INTRODUCTION Ol 1 SPIRITS. 309 



" Yes, you shall see. This is very thirsty weather. 

 Who is waiting there ? Boy ! " 



The servants, who were outside the tent takino- 



o 



a deep interest in the proceedings within, quickly 

 replied ; and Sheik Hussein making his appearance 

 at the door, was directed to bring in a bottle of 

 brandy and some glasses. 



The bottle was brought, and its gorgeous label 

 much admired as it was handed from one to the 

 other of the guests, each of whom took a sniff at the 

 contents en passant, evidently finding it anything 

 but disagreeable. 



" Better have a glass," said Norman. " It will do 

 you good after your ride." 



Those addressed shook their heads and smiled. 



" They will suck it in like fishes, I see," observed 

 Mackenzie ; and without any more beating about 

 the bush, he poured out some into the tumblers, 

 which he was about to fill up with water, when he 

 was arrested by the objections of his guests. It 

 was soon ascertained that it was not the spirit in 

 its natural state, but its dilution, to which they 

 objected. Mackenzie accordingly handed to them 

 the tumblers containing the raw spirit undiluted, 

 and each tossed down the contents of his glass, and 

 smacked his lips afterwards with much satisfaction. 



" Well done ! Shabash," cried Mackenzie. " By 



