cii. xu. HOKEOES OF KATIVK WAEFAKE. 305 



towards us, imploring our protection. Of course the 

 attempt was vain, for they were all securely tied together, 

 and each end of the rope was held by a mounted soldier. 

 With many a blow and curse the wretched man was 

 driven along to share the fate of his companions in 

 captivity. 



A little later came a message from the Governor, 

 excusing himself for not coming in person to see us. He 

 owned to having lost many of his men during the day's 

 encounter, and said he was too anxious and disturbed to 

 be able to entertain us. An ample moiia was at the 

 same time sent, and this helped to restore comparati\'e 

 cheerfulness among our followers. 



As was natural under the circumstances we were 

 anxious for information, but Abraham was not able to 

 learn any reliable particulars as to the proceedings of the 

 day. He professed, however, to be well acquainted with 

 the method of warfare carried on between these turbulent 

 tribes. The fighting consists in irregular skirmishes by 

 men who keep as far as possible under cover, in which 

 large quantities of powder are consumed with com- 

 paratively insignificant results. But, whatever be the 

 result, it is a point of honour with each party to bring 

 back prisoners. It is not often that these are made among 

 the fighting men. Harmless peasants are seized — if of the 

 enemy's tribe so much the better; but, if these are not to 

 be had, those of their own tribe are made the victims. 

 We were assured that the same thing happens with the 

 Sultan's troops on the rather frequent occasions when they 

 are despatched against some refractory mountain tribe. 

 The mountaineers commonly make good their retreat to 

 some spot not easily reached by horsemen ; but, in order to 

 be able to announce a victory, the detachment seizes any 

 hapless people that come in their way on their return to 

 the capital. When we inquired as to the destiny of the 

 capti\'es it was horrible to be told that some of them 

 would certainly be butchered during the night. 



