THE CARAVAN-LEADER. 



479 



been undermined by the terrible fever, and at 

 fifty his head bears the 6 blossoms of the grave/ 

 as though it had seen its seventieth summer. 



Before we could set out a guide, a Mahinan- 

 dar, a Cafilah-bashi or Kirangozi, was requisite, 

 and this necessary was soon provided by the 

 6 Sea of Milk.' Said bin Salmi el Lamki, the 

 companion of our way for many a weary league, 

 must not depart this life unsketched. He is a 

 half-caste Arab, as is shown by the wiry, woolly 

 hair, which he generally, however, removes with 

 care ; by his dead yellow skin ; by scanty nmsta- 

 chios, and by a beard which no pulling will 

 lengthen. Short, thin, and delicate; a kind of 

 man for the pocket ; with weak and prominent 

 eyes, the long protruding beak of a young bird, 

 loose lips, and regular teeth dyed by betel to the 

 crimson of chess-men, he owns to 40, and he 

 shows 45. Of noble family on the father's side, 

 the Benu Lamk of the Hinawi, he was born 

 when his progenitor governed Kilwa, hence his 

 African blood; and he has himself commanded 

 at the little port Sa'adani. Yet has not dignity 

 invested him with the outer show of authority. 

 He says ' Karrib,' — draw near ! — to all, simple and 

 gentle. He cannot beat his naughty bondsmen, 

 though he perpetually quotes Ali the Khalifeh — 



