BEM SULEIMAN TO. DARA. 219 CHAPTER X.

DEM SULEIMAN TO DAKA.

There being no news of the arrival of a steamer at Meshera-er-Eek, and our preparations for tlie marcli to Darfour being complete, at 3.30 on December 4th we started from Dem Suleiman. We were escorted at first by twenty regulars and thirty besingers, under the personal command of Saati Effendi, the sub-governor of the Bahr-el-Grhazel Province. We were accompanied by this large escort because the country between Liffi and the Bahr-el-Arab or the Bahr-el-Homr, as it is sometimes called, was still rather unsettled.

Gessi Pasha and Herr Buchta rode with us for the first half-hour, and we parted at a small stream which crossed the road. It was a sad farewell, for Gessi had been a true friend, and had endeared himself much to us during the time we had spent with him, by his unselfish kindness and considerate care for all our wants. We all nearly broke down as we clasped hands for the last time and wished each other "God speed." I did not then think that it would be the last time I should see that weather-beaten face, or hear that cheery voice.