ZAIDO'S MISCHANCE. 155 



but on seeing our approach they retreated very 

 quickly behind the hill again. After a short 

 search, we returned into camp, without the 

 arms thrown away by Zaido in his flight, and 

 which we could not find. When quiet had been 

 again established, and I was sitting in my hut, I 

 could not help laughing at Zaido's grimaces, as he 

 endeavoured to tell me the jeopardy he had been 

 in, concluding his relation with a pathetic appeal 

 to my feelings, wishing to know what indeed the 

 " Ahkeem ' (myself) would have done had he 

 been killed, and trusting that I would supply him 

 with a new shield and spear, in return for his great 

 attention and care of me. 



This accident was the topic of conversation all 

 day, and in consequence of it a great zekar was 

 held in the evening, similar to those I had seen per- 

 formed in Tajourah, and which was kept up until 

 the middle of the night. All their praying, how- 

 ever, had no effect in withholding the arm of the 

 assassin, for that very night, shortly after all parties 

 had retired to their mats, the devotees sleeping 

 perhaps more soundly from their exertions, the 

 whole camp were suddenly awakened by a loud 

 shriek, followed by a sudden burst of clamouring 

 voices, and a confused rush to arms, during which 

 several stumbled over my hut in their hurry. 

 Ohmed Medina was shouting, " Ahkeem, ah- 

 keem." Zaido was pushing to get into my hut as 



