THE ESCAPE FROM JEDABIA 59 



our retinue and went and sat on a sandhill and dreamed 

 visions of the caravan, that would end all our troubles, 

 coming over the rise opposite. Instead, we saw only 

 Farraj go down the wadi to buy bitter camel's milk 

 and date pulp, highly flavoured with sand, from the 

 nugga men. When the sunset dyed the land to crimson 

 glory we returned to our camp frantically hungry, 

 for we had eaten nothing since 8 a.m.^ and then 

 only rice and tinned vegetables, because the latter were 

 disliked by our retinue. The two blacks were playing 

 draughts on the sands with white shells and camel dung, 

 "Fadhl!" urged Mohammed, smiling. "Fadhl!" 



"Do not live always alone," said Yusuf. "Mix with 

 us a little. We shall not forget who is master." From 

 this I knew that Hassanein had won another of his 

 personal victories. He had a wonderful way of gaining 

 the confidence and sympathy of Arabs, from the Sayeds 

 down to the fanatical Beduin. 



The mental atmosphere of our retinue had been most 

 unpropitious during the first two days. We realised that 

 our journey would be almost an impossibility unless it 

 changed, but, wisely, Hassanein would not hurry matters. 

 A word dropped here and there, swift rebuke or warm 

 praise, hinted sympathy with the Senussi aims, tales of 

 old friendship with the Sayeds, little councils of war in 

 the outer tent, had all borne fruit. We felt the effect 

 that night as we toasted ourselves before the fire, watch- 

 ing Farraj knead his heavy bread and cook it in the 

 ashes. When it was baked, he pressed some upon us 

 with a broad, toothless smile. It was hot, heavy and 

 indigestible, but wholly dehcious with our corned beef. 

 Only the cocoa was a failure, as the water was terribly 

 salt. 



I settled myself into the double woollen flaps of my 

 flea-bag that night with a great sense of peace. The 



