SKETCHES IN THE SOUDAN 29 



Mohammed carried sticks made of that tree. A stem of the 

 required thickness is cut down and laid over a fire, which renders 

 it pliable. The end is then bent slightly, and kept in that 

 position by means of string ; after a few days this is dispensed 

 with, and the stick cut to the desired length, the grey bark 

 peeled off, the hard wood polished with grease and hand-rubbing. 

 No Arab ever is without one, even boys carry it, though one of 

 smaller size. Its uses are many; by placing the two ends on 

 the ground with the convex side up, the Arabs use it as a pillow 

 or as a seat ; they acquire considerable dexterity with it in 

 knocking down their beloved dome-palm nuts, and no doubt 

 many a guinea-fowl and florican falls a victim to it ; it is very 

 useful in pushing aside the branches when passing through a 

 thorny jungle ; and at discussions, when the Arabs squat round 

 in a circle on the ground, the stick plays an important part, 

 being constantly in motion emphasising words and assisting to 

 explain the orator's meaning by drawing hieroglyphics and 

 pictures in the sand. The dandies have rings on their ears 

 and fingers ; the stick of their spear is embellished with brass 

 wire, the handle of their sword perhaps inlaid with silver, and 

 their thick chevelure white with fat and dripping with melted 

 butter the more the quantity the better is the man dressed; 

 the more it drips the more thoroughly is he satisfied, and the 

 prouder is he of his appearance. This, to us Europeans, dis- 

 gusting fashion, for not only does it look filthy, but the resulting 

 odours are most trying when anywhere to leeward of such a 

 frisure, entails a great deal of painstaking labour on the part of 

 the hairdresser, and patience on that of the individual under- 

 going such a long and tedious process. It so happened that 

 one of our men had procured some white suet-like fat, a scarce 

 article ; and another having undertaken the task of beautifying 

 him, we had a good opportunity of watching the whole not very 

 appetising proceeding. First of all the long, thin stick, resem- 

 bling a greatly magnified hairpin, which every one carries stuck 

 in his locks, is taken out, and with it every ringlet and every 

 curl carefully undone and separated into its component parts. 

 Then commences a thorough and minute hunt for any little 

 animal which may creep, hop, or run in the dense preserves, 

 a hunt which lasts long and is apparently rewarded by good 

 bags. While fingers and stick are thus busily engaged and 



