l62 SEINE-NET EISHING.

some tamarisk-trees overhung the water, and where it was very deep. We were determined, however, to have a try somewhere else, as we had got it out, and had experienced considerable difficulty in getting enough men together to help us to draw it. This net was eighty yards long, and three deep, with a large pocket in the middle. To be thoroughly successful with it, it was necessary to find a place tolerably free from rocks, and where it could be drawn up in shallow water. Although the Settite was flowing, there were many such places, as in some parts the water was not more than a few inches deep. Our first haul, notwithstanding that it was in a most unfavourable place, was not a blank ; for we secured twenty-five fish, weighing altogether eighty-six pounds, the heaviest being seven pounds.

The next day we sent Mahomet Salee off to a Hamran village called Korkee, with five camels, to purchase dhurray having been told that plenty was to be had from the Base living on the river farther eastward ; but, when it came to the point of fetching it, Mahomet Salee declared that none was to be got there. It was too evident that we had been grossly deceived. We also sent two of the Base horsemen to a Base village called Lacatecourah, cast of us and back from the Settite.

They declared they would summon some sheiks who would arrange for us to go farther. We did not much believe in their promises, but thought they were better away, possibly doing some good, than hanging about our camp doing nothing, and cansuming our dJnirra.

The country swarmed with Hamrans, and people from Haikota ; there was a large encampment of the latter on Khor Meheteb. Some of the Hamrans had rifles, given to them mostly by the professional animal-traders, generally Germans, who go to that country to get live animals with which to supply zoological societies and menageries. Sir Samuel Baker, who