MUSSAAD'S WEDDING-. 
179 
a sandy soil ; but we soon came to a thick muddy pathway^ and 
then entered a forest. Lion tracks were numerous. As we pro- 
ceeded we were often compelled to dismount^ the branches of trees 
presenting obstacles not easily surmountable on horseback. Reached 
an extensive and well stocked cattle-kraal^ the negroes of which 
seemed somewhat alarmed ; and we observed that they commenced 
driving their beasts from the enclosure. A storm threatening^ re- 
turned to our encampment in time to escape a drenching. 
August 9th . — The negroes still refusing to bring up the remain- 
ing loads from Lolnun^ our personal servants and a few soldiers 
volunteer to do so. 
The wife of chief Jickwi^ a handsome and sensible woman^ fre- 
quently comes to our tent : she much deplores the negroes^ obsti- 
nacy in declining to carry the baggage unless for cattle^, as she says_, 
were we to remain_, the grain would soon be exhausted. 
August Wth . — Mussaad paid us an early visit,, to entreat that he 
might be allowed to marry one of the pretty mountain negresses. 
He said he had her consent,, but that^ knowing she was under our 
protection,, he sought Petherick^s permission. The girl was sum- 
moned ; she came with her three young companions (all had been 
cruelly wronged by Abd il Majid) . When questioned^ she coyly 
said she wished to be his wife ; she but once raised her lovely eyes 
from the ground,, when I expressed surprise at the proposition that 
the wedding was to take place this evenings it seemed to me so 
sudden. However^ at noon Mussaad returned,, dressed imposingly, 
and, being good-looking, really presented a handsome appearance. 
He was accompanied by the secretary, the best man, and Poncet^s 
agent. The wedding ceremony then commenced, though the 
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