SKETCHES IN THE SOUDAN 53 



marched off there with the idea that a little counter-irritation 

 on the soles of their feet next morning might prove of benefit. 

 During an interview with the military magistrate in the hut of 

 justice this therefore was soon arranged, and the prisoners pro- 

 duced and questioned. They were, of course, full of excuses. 

 One even pointed to his fiery eyes, saying that the redness was 

 due to a blow from the dragoman, but justice whispered 

 **araki," and decreed the bastinado. After coffee and 

 cigarettes had been handed to us the criminals were, with- 

 out more ado, each in his turn placed upon his back, their 

 feet put into loops attached to a pole held by a man at each 

 end, while a third meted out the punishment upon the soles of 

 the raised feet with a courbatch, until we cried "Enough." 

 We then finished our coffee, thanked the judge, and so jus- 

 tice was satisfied. The soles of an Arab's feet are very hard 

 and horny, and the punishment, which to a European would 

 be a terrible one, is in moderation not much thought of by 

 an Eastern. 



The pasha here is a great soldier and a very hard-working 

 man. The troops are constantly employed in strengthening 

 the fort or in making roads the latter with great success, as 

 we found on our march from here through the magnificent 

 mountain-gorge of Eshideera. He personally superintends his 

 working parties, and is then always attended by his body-guard 

 clothed in bright scarlet tunics ; he frequently had field-days, 

 while his staff was busy making most excellent maps, or 

 employed in teaching the men signalling and intrenching. 

 The ration beef, part of which the soldiers were only too 

 glad to sell us, was very good indeed ; the garrison butcher 

 receives as pay the hide and head of every animal he kills. 

 Several mules were brought to us for sale, but in consequence 

 of the ridiculous prices asked only one was bought. This was a 

 " real " mule, who, when he suddenly took it into his head, could 

 kick higher and buck harder than would have seemed possible 

 for any animal to accomplish. Sometimes when walking along 

 in apparently the most amiable of moods, this interesting 

 creature would, for no other reason apparently than that of 

 pure mischief, suddenly commence kicking and bucking in so 

 determined and accomplished a manner, his head disappearing 

 altogether between his forelegs, that presently, after a struggle 



