CONSTRUCT MY OWN HUT. 307 



abrasions and ulcers on the hump, to which they 

 are very liable. 



One good effect was produced by a long march ; 

 that was the freedom from importunity I enjoyed, 

 for all the Bedouins and Kafilah men seemed 

 determined to take, immediate advantage of the 

 shady accommodations of this " hotel verte," or in 

 plain English, this extensive " bush inn." I obliged 

 myself, tired as I was, to build my own hut rather 

 than seek a bower, where others would throng, 

 greatly to my discomfort ; and something of a con- 

 science told me that Zaido and the Allees, after 

 unloading the two-and-twenty camels belonging to 

 their master, Ohmed Mahomed, would require rest 

 as well as myself. My architectural occupation 

 attracted the attention of the chief of the escort, 

 Carmel Ibrahim, and he, very good-naturedly, came 

 to assist me, so that by our joint labours, and his 

 excellent suggestions, a box-house was constructed, 

 the most convenient I had yet occupied, for the 

 boxes, on previous occasions placed close together, 

 were now arranged with spaces between, that 

 admitted both light and air. 



At sunset, when the camels were to be brought 

 in for the night, Ohmed Medina and a party, 

 principally of Tajourah people, came to get some 

 coffee with me, which w T as quickly prepared by 

 Zaido ; who, on a little fire made of camel-dung and 

 dried sticks, had soon the long-necked vase of 

 coarse red earthenware, in which the social inspiring 



x 2 



