Chap. LXXIV. 
LADY TRAVELLERS. 
121 
yet even begun my long journey eastward, through 
districts so full of large rivers and of swampy val- 
leys, ray feelings may be more easily imagined than 
described. I felt very dissatisfied with the Sheikh 
El Bakay, and he, on his part, was well aware of it. 
His own trustworthy and amiable character inspired 
me with the confidence that I should at length get 
safely out of all my trouble ; but an immense amount 
of Job-like patience was required, for we staid in this 
encampment the five following days. 
But we had a little intercourse with some re- 
markable persons which gave me some occupation. 
The most interesting of the passers by were three 
noble ladies of the tribe of the K^l-hekikan, well 
mounted on camels in an open cage, or jakhfa, of 
rather simple structure, with the exception of the 
rich ornament on the head of the animal, as is repre- 
sented in the accompanying woodcut. But the ladies 
themselves afforded an interesting sight, being well 
