288 EXTRACTS FROM 
yellow, long-legged animal with pointed ears. On hastening 
back to the other gentlemen, I found that Hoyos had been 
so lucky as to shoot a fairly large she-wolf of the African 
species (Canis lupaster). 
On driving the garden again with the help of some natives, 
another wolf was started. I heard it rustling through the 
bushes, and my jiger even saw it, but unfortunately the sly 
brute slipped over the wall without being fired at. A couple 
of Woodcock were also seen, but not within shot; some Cranes, 
too, passed high overhead, and the dense foliage of the orange- 
trees was enlivened by a variety of birds. 
After this short but very successful beat we left the garden 
and started for home. The sun had set, the shadows were 
deepening, twilight was coming on, and as the road along 
the top of the high narrow embankment, which was dangerous 
enough by day, did not seem at all suitable for driving on at 
night, we determined to leave the cultivated country traversed 
by the canal and strike straight across the desert. At first 
all went well, but the horses soon exhausted their strength 
and could only drag the heavy vehicles through the deep sand 
at a slow walk. The desert, too, began to get somewhat 
uneven, and as it would have taken us several hours to get to 
Cairo in this fashion, we made our way back to the arable 
ground with the help of some torch-bearers, 
As we passed by the gardens of the Kubbeh Palace, bats 
were flitting round the rustling palms and thick sycamores, 
and from the shrubs and fruit-laden orange-groves rose most 
delicious perfumes—the intoxicating aromas of Hastern vege- 
tation. Countless stars gemmed the heavens, and the soft 
delicious air had the effect of enchantment on us poor 
Europeans. It was a true African night in its full splendour; 
and one must experience the winning magic of these blest 
lands before one can understand their indescribable charms, 
their infinite powers of fascination, and the yearning for them 
