166 



THE START. 



until the late reforms, such was notoriously the 

 case throughout the Russian empire. Perhaps 

 in the present day the hest place to study the 

 system of all peculation and no pay is Damascus. 



Having confided our project to the Jemadar of 

 Chogwe, he promised his good- will — for a consider- 

 ation. He undertook to start us the next day, and, 

 curious to relate, for as usual he was a Cathaian 

 of the first water, he kept his word. The small 

 garrison, however, could afford hut four match - 

 lock-men as a guard, and the same numher of 

 slave-hoys acting porters. The C. O., therefore, 

 engaged for us, nominally paying $10, and 

 douhtless retaining one half, a couple of guides, 

 who proved to he a single guide and his chattel. 



After a night spent in the Maychan, where 

 wind, dust, and ants conspired to make us miser- 

 able, we arose to prepare for marching. We re- 

 duced our kit to the strictest necessaire, survey- 

 ing instruments, weapons, waterproof blankets, 

 tea, sugar, and tobacco for ten days, a bag of 

 dates, and three bags of rice. About noon, issu- 

 ing from our shed, we placed the baggage in the 

 sun ; thus mutely appealing to the ' Sharm ' — 

 shame or sense of honour — possessed by our Ba- 

 loch employes. A start was not effected till 5 

 P.M. ; every slave grumbling loudly at his load. 



