I 
464 ARKEKO. 
two sheep from the Nayib, and in return presented the servant who 
brought them with a dollar, 
" Some of our party wishing to walk at sunset, I requested the 
Nayib would send one of his people to attend them. He said the 
women and children would be alarmed, and that the boys would be 
very troublesome : he therefore begged that we would not go beyond 
the walls of the enclosure. As we were retiring to rest, the Nayib 
placed an Ascari as a guard at the door of our house, and desired 
us on no account to go out during the night, as wild beasts were 
abroad, and evil minded persons, who would molest us. We slept 
within our enclosure in the open air, only using the precaution 
of having our fire arms near at hand. Pearce and one of the sepoys 
sleeping on the outside of the gate, but with their heads on the 
threshold, were awakened about eleven o'clock by the Nayib him- 
self, who insisted on their coming in and bolting the door. As a proof 
that this was not an unnecessary precaution, it may be mentioned, 
that the Nayib's sentinel, who was stationed at the door, sent in his 
cap and shoes, lest they should be taken from him in the night. We 
heard the cries of hyaenas, and other wild beasts, prowling about, 
which, from the noise they made, must have been very numerous; 
nevertheless, we passed the night without molestation. 
July 19. — Early this morning the Nayib came with some of 
his people to look at our baggage ; and in the afternoon the pack- 
ages were sorted by the camel drivers, and an account taken. There 
seemed to be much dispute among the parties as to the number of 
animals required. Much difficulty was made about the tent, and I 
was at length obliged to determine on leaving the fly behind. At 
mid-day the thermometer was at lio''. 
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