THE DEPARTURE. 



157 



all-powerful luminary assumed undisputed possession of 

 earth, and a soft breeze, the breath of the morn, as it 

 is called in the East, awoke the waters into life. 



But I am not long to enjoy this mighty picture. A 

 jarring din sings in my ears, contrasting strangely with 

 the beautiful world before my eyes. A crowd of newly- 

 engaged Pagazi are standing before me in the ecstasy of 

 impatience: some poised like cranes upon the right foot, 

 with the left sole placed against the knee, others with 

 their arms thrown in a brotherly fashion round neigh- 

 bours' necks, whilst others squatted in the usual Asiatic 

 and African position, with their posteriora resting upon 

 their calves and heels, their elbows on their thighs, and 

 their chins propped upon their hands, gazed at me with 

 that long longing look which in these lands evidences a 

 something sorely wanted. Presently, from Said bin 

 Majid's home -bound caravan, with which I had consented 

 to travel, shots and a popping of muskets rang through 

 the air : the restless crowd that still watched me ap- 

 peared at the sound of this signal to lose their wits. 

 In a moment the space before the Tembe was cleared. 

 After a few moments, Said bin Salim ran up violently 

 excited, declaring that his orders were of no avail, that 

 some parties were starting with, and others without, 

 their loads, and that no man would take up the burden 

 assigned to him on the yesterday. I directed him to 

 compose himself, and since he could not remain, to pre- 

 cede me with the headstrong gang as far as the Ruche 

 River — the first stage — whence he would send back, as 

 soon as possible, a few men bribed to carry my ham- 

 mock and to remove the loose loads scattered upon the 

 ground. These, as usual on such occasions, were our 

 own. He departed greatly delighting in the opportu- 

 nity of escaping further trouble, and of driving off his 

 six wild slaves in safety : true to his inconsequential 



