388 allee's falsehood. 



my protesting against it, to purchase milk. As, 

 however, I knew that robbery was intended, and 

 that murder would probably ensue, I offered them 

 a bullock to remain, which they very reluctantly 

 accepted. On my expostulating with Ohmed 

 Medina, he admitted it was not right, and said 

 very candidly, " What are my countrymen but 

 wild beasts 1 " 



Allee the First, now came into my hut to claim 

 damages, showing a bruise upon his face, which he 

 asserted had been inflicted by the mule, whilst 

 catching her to bring her back to the camp. I said 

 it was no such thing ; for ever since her back had 

 been almost broken by the butt end of the spear of 

 a fat Dankalli, whom she kicked in the belly, I 

 observed she had improved very much in her 

 disposition, and was very cautious how she 

 attempted anything of the sort. However, I told 

 him I would look in my book and see if his tale 

 were correct. Opening, with a very grave counte- 

 nance, Mr. M 'Queen's Survey of Africa, which I 

 had just been consulting, I looked up, after having 

 examined it, and said, " Allee, Allee, you are a 

 story-teller, for Ohmed Mahomed hit you that blow 

 in your face." I never shall forget the conster- 

 nation that appeared in his face, as ejaculating 

 " Whallah!" (By God), he backed out of my hut, 

 thinking, I really believe, that I should metamor- 

 phise him into something or other before he could 

 get away, for his attempted imposition. Having 



