CONDUCT OF AMANKEE. 
301 
the heels of the robbers. In all such emergencies 
I have found no one like Amankee : he is a complete 
bloodhound, and can scent his way through all the 
desert, and follow the steps of the most agile and 
quick-witted fugitive. I knew Amankee would 
pick up some of the tea and bring news of the 
robbers. He returned, and fulfilled my expectations : 
he picked up about six ounces of tea scattered on 
the road, and brought the news that the robbers 
were from Tidek and Taghajeet. They had come 
some days' journey to plunder us. I learned, also, 
that the rascals, just before they attacked us, had 
been feasting at a wedding in Tintalous. 
I grieved very much for the loss of my tea, and 
employed six or seven hours in picking the stones 
out of what Amankee recovered. I had greatly 
coveted this luxury, and set my heart upon it ; and 
now my idol was ruthlessly torn from me by a band 
of robbers ! Amankee, knowing my feelings, had 
offered a reward for the rest, telling the people he 
saw on the road that the tea could only be drank by 
Christians, and was poison for Muslims ! This fib 
drew from the astonished Kailouees a woful ejacula- 
tion — "Allah I Allah!" Many funny scenes were 
enacted during the few minutes of the attack of the 
robbers. The other negress, a wife of another of 
the servants, was quite dumb ; but Said's wife crept 
around the tent like a dog, on her hands and feet, 
giving the alarm, but fearing to rise up lest she 
should be felled down by the robbers. The servants 
