90 STAYING AT DULHULL. 



as to give them time to load. We were to follow 

 the next morning, to enable the camels to come 

 up, belonging to some parties who had sent a mes- 

 senger from Tajourah to say they would join us 

 in the course of the day. To this course no reason- 

 able objection could be raised, as it was the interest 

 of the Has, or head of the Kafilah, and of every 

 camel-owner that composed it, to get as great a 

 number of people together as possible to resist any 

 extortion, or repel any attack that might be made 

 by the different tribes we should meet with on the 

 road. Ohmed Mahomed, therefore, consented to 

 this arrangement, and we were detained at Dulhull 

 another day in consequence. I noticed after Ohmed 

 Mahomed's arrival in camp, that great, and I 

 thought very unnecessary, care was taken to guard 

 me from any attack at night. My place being 

 more securely shut in, and Ohmed Mahomed and 

 his servants taking care to lie at the entrance, and 

 around it. Ohmed had his reason for this, and I 

 should not have slept very comfortably had I been 

 then fully aware of the threats held out by the 

 Debenee against any unfortunate Engreez travelling 

 through their country, and of which I was only sub- 

 sequently informed. 



Our Kafilah during this day was increased by 

 twenty-four camels, which made the total number, 

 with the few that had gone on to the Bahr Assal, 

 eighty-four, and we could muster altogether about 

 forty fighting men ; we had besides a few women 



