CHAPTER V.

We divide the Camp.— Part start for Cassala. — The Rest remain at Wandi.

Continued Ilhiess of Jules.— Dhurra runs short. — Departure from Wandi.

Khor Belag.— News of the First Party. — A Deserted Village. — Omri.— The Belgian Doctor. — Halt at Khor Rassay. — Pharaoh's Lean Kine.— Desolate Tract of Country. — Scorpions.

We decided on splitting camps ; one-half of the party, with the bulk of the luggage, to go on to Cassala, so as to arrange, as far as possible, for another start by the time the rest arrived. On the 27th they commenced their journey; leaving Lort Phillips, my brother William, and myself behind, with the doctor of course, and Jules. It was very dull waiting at Wandi : the heat was very great, and the flies most troublesome. There was no game, with the exception of a chance gazelle and a few sand-grouse, which used to come for water morning and evening, when we shot a few for food. They are not very good eating, being dry and tasteless, and are grouse only in name as far as the ctnsine is concerned, though true grouse from a naturalist's point of view.

We were at our wits' end to know what to do : sometimes Jules appeared to be getting better, and then again he seemed weaker. We thought at one time of sending him back to Souakim with George and the doctor, but eventually concluded to take him on to Cassala. We were about half way between the two places ; and one objection to sending him back to England was the voyage home, as he suffered fearfully from sea-sickness.

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