CHAP. V.] 
DESERTION OF MEN. 
203 
men, except Richarn, mounted upon my donkeys, 
although the poor animals were already carrying loads 
of 150 lbs. each. Upon observing me, the dismount 
was sudden and general. On their arrival I found 
that three of the men had deserted, including “ Bel- 
laal,” and had joined the party of Mahommed Her, 
taking with them my guns and ammunition. Two 
had previously joined that party; thus five of my 
men were now engaged by those slave-hunters, and 
I little doubted that my remaining men would abscond 
likewise. 
On the arrival of my vakeel he told me, in face of 
the men, that so many had deserted, and that the 
others had refused to assist him in taking the guns 
from them; thus my arms and ammunition had been 
forcibly stolen. I abused both the vakeel and the 
men most thoroughly, and as for the mutineers who 
have joined the slave-hunters, “Inshallah, the vultures 
shall pick their bones ! ” 
This charitable wish—-which, I believe, I expressed 
with intense hatred—was never forgotten either by 
my own men or by the Turks. Believing firmly in 
the evil eye, their superstitious fears were immediately 
excited. 
Continuing the march along the same style of 
country we shortly came in view of Tarrangolle, the 
