KITAETOUM. 
63 
By some of her people it was suggested that if she drank of her 
husband^s blood all would go well. He instantly opened a vein in 
his arm^ to which she applied her lips^ and sucked greedily the life- 
fluid. The child saw the light shortly after. 
She was accompanied to Khartoum by her uncle Binga^ the son 
of Goria^ Sheikh of Beringi^ and by Boonganipan, daughter of 
Pereka, a son of Yaquatti_, a Neam Neam Sultan — ^but we called 
her always Halima. Halima_, a girl of some twelve years at that 
time,, appeared to me of forbidding countenance. She was naked^ 
with the exception of the rachat. But^ trusting that I might teach 
these people a few of the blessings of civilization,, I asked her if 
she would serve me. She looked in my face steadily with a search- 
ing starC; and replied^ Yes ; I think I shall like you.^^ I at once 
took her under my charge,, and tlie first thing, of course, was to 
dress her. I gave some materials to be made up for her to a negress, 
but one who disowned being connected with that race (ten months 
previously this woman had fled to the Consulate, on the death of 
her master, fearing she might be sold as a slave) : she refused to 
work for a negress, and packed up her things and left our place. 
During the period I have named, she had been supported, of course, 
at Petherick'’s expense. 
I was then obliged to sew the garments myself, giving Halima 
lessons, so that she might soon be able to do so. She was an apt 
pupil, and learnt readily, and is now a fair sempstress. A more 
intelligent girl, one also who has not to be told a thing twice, I 
never met. I could fill pages recounting her many acts of thought- 
fulness, and of affection too. I had been but a few days at Khartoum 
when, writing to the loved ones at home, tears were falling from 
my eyes. Halima had observed me, drew near with a pocket- 
handkerchief which she had taken from the case, having sprinkled 
