EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 253 
the wandering tribes, nor the ferocious animals, which infeft 
other parts of the continent, are commonly found there. The 
Egyptians and other whites therefore, though they commonly 
carry fire-arms with them from the North, generally take advan- 
tage of the market of Fur, and return without any. The na- 
tives of Soudan are furnifhed with a light fpear, or fpears, the 
head of which is made of unhardened iron of their country. 
They have alfo a fhield of about three feet long, and one foot 
and a half or three-quarters broad, compofed of the hide of the 
elephant or hippopotamus, very fimple in its conftrudtion. 
Intercourfe with Mecca. 
No regular caravan of Hadgis leaves Dar-Fur, but a number 
of the natives make their way to Mecca, either with the cara- 
van of merchants trading to Egypt, or by way of Suakem and 
Jidda. The prefent king was about to eftablifh his attorney 
{waquil) at Mecca, but fome obftacles had prevented his reach- 
ing that place, when I came away. Fear of the fea, or I know 
not what other caufe, prevents them from choofing the route by 
Suakem, though it be fo much fhorter and lefs expenfive than 
that by the way of Egypt ; but the territory between Fur and 
Suakem is not fubjedt to any fettled government, and thofe 
who have travelled with property have frequently been plun- 
dered there. The Tocruri however, who come from various 
parts, and foraewhat refemble the Derwifhes of the North, 
travelling as paupers, with a bowl to drink out of, and a 
leathern 
