AN EXPECTED ATTACK. 341 



of the camp, as they hurried towards this point of 

 gathering. 



The Hy Soumaulee upon hearing this, imme- 

 diately took me with them to the small denuded base 

 of a former volcanic cone, which was a few feet 

 higher than the surrounding plain ; and which, be- 

 sides the advantages of its elevated and isolated cha- 

 racter, afforded a plentiful supply of large stones, or 

 as Carmel Ibrahim called them, "bandook Bedouins," 

 Bedouin guns. The Tajourah people still con- 

 tinued their calahm, and were joined immediately 

 by every man in the Kafilah, when the war cry of 

 the Wahama was raised. It was very evident that 

 a storm was coming ; but still, it appeared, our 

 opponents were a long time in making up their 

 minds to attack us. Neither party had much 

 advantage in point of numbers, although every 

 hour was adding to the force of the Wahama, and 

 this, I supposed, was occasioning the delay, 

 thinking it probable that their leaders were waiting 

 to collect as many of their people as possible, 

 before they attempted to carry into effect the 

 violent measures, that were proposed by some of 

 the party. 



In this state of suspense, the little band I was 

 with, sat in silence, for above two hours ; the 

 Tajourah people, and the Wahama, all this time 

 being engaged in close calahm. Whatever was said 

 on either side was done in a very low tone of voice, 

 and I was glad, when the sun set, to see the still 



