CHAPTER II.

Arrival at Souakim.— The Wakeel.— Thieving Propensities of Egyptian Officials. — Encouragement of Slavery.— Souakim.— Caravan-routes from Souakim.

Ala-ed-Deen Pacha. — The Governor's " Palace."— Bedouin Government Pris-

oners. — Omnipresence of Greeks. — Dhicrra. — " Hotel du Soudan." — Curious

Manner of dressing the Hair. — An African Hurlingham. — Story of the Seven

Virgins. — Departure from Souakim.

After a very uneventful voyage, we reached Souakim about

noon of the i ith. The day before, we had had heavy rain ; and

the day we landed was very cloudy, with occasional heavy show-

ers. We were much surprised at finding wet weather in that

part of the world, but afterwards discovered, that, although rain

by no means always falls at that time of year, yet it is the sea-

son of coast rains.

On our arrival, we called on the Waked, or government

agent, Achmed Effendi ; he offered us rooms in the "palace,"

which we were very glad of, though it was decided to remain

for that night on board ship.

Mr. Brewster, the custom-house officer, and Mr. Bewley, were

at that time the only English residents in the Soudan. The

former had been there some time ; but the latter had only just

come from Jeddah, where he had lived as partner in a trading-

firm that had set up a branch establishment at Souakim. On

our return to Souakim in the spring, we found Mr. Brewster

had left, and that a native had taken his place, whose pay would

perhaps be less, but who would in all probability far more than

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