GOVERNMENT PRISONERS.

windows being without glass, but with shutters in its place,

and plenty of air stirring, we found Souakim extremely hot

and "muggy," and were anxious to leave it with as little delay

as possible. The ''palace " is built at one end of a large court-

yard, one side of which faces the sea, and forms the sea-wall. On the right-hand side a double staircase led to our apart-

ments ; and the courtyard was entered from the street by an

imposing gateway guarded by soldiers, over which a most

formidable-looking lion carved in stone held sway ; his tail,

which was of extraordinary proportions, stuck out straight.

I think the idea of the lion was chiefly ornamental ; though,

guarding as he did the entrance to the divan, he may have been

intended as a symbol of power likewise : he was certainly looked

upon as an object of admiration by the inhabitants.

We encountered a very sad sight every time we either

entered or left the courtyard. In one corner were huddled

together some forty Bedouins, mostly men, with a few women

and children. They were all from the neighbourhood of Jed-

dah, and were government prisoners : they had chains on their

legs, and were living in a state of captivity from no fault of

their own.

It api^eared that a number of Bedouins had crossed over to

Souakim with their camels, intending to settle in the neigh-

bourhood, and breed camels. As, however, they quarrelled with

the Arabs of the country. Col. Gordon, who was then governor

of the Soudan, gave them nine thousand dollars compensation

(they having originally obtained permission to settle where

they were), and sent them back to their own country. On Col.

Gordon giving up the governor-generalship of the Soudan, and

leaving the country, a number of them returned, determined

to try again what they could do. Ali Reza Pacha, who was

then governor of Souakim, thought this an opportunity not to