EASTERN TABLE MANNERS. 69 intended route ; and that, moreover, they were at enmity with that part of the tribe we proposed visiting.

As we thought it would be well to take with us more camels than we required for our baggage, knowing that some of those we had would be sure to die, or become useless, we arranged to hire several. In consideration of our paying for them at a very high rate, — namely, twelve dollars a month each, as well as feeding the drivers, — we induced some Shukreeyehs to accompany us with their camels. We hoped to add considerably to our impedimenta in the shape of skins and heads while in the country ; and knew that no camels could be obtained from the Base, who do not possess any. We were delayed to buy a further supply of dJmrra ; as with so many mouths to feed, both men and horses, it disappeared at a surprising rate.

While delayed at Haikota, we entertained the German and the sheik at dinner every evening. The latter experienced considerable difficulty, at first, in manipulating a knife and fork ; he was very anxious to make no mistake, and watched us most carefully to see what we did with them, before he would venture himself : he soon, however, mastered the difficulty, and became quite an adept in their use. The only desagremcnt that we suffered from, in entertaining this august personage at meals, was the habit that he freely indulged himself in, of eructating both during dinner and afterwards ; and I must say this was a phase of Eastern manners to which we never could fully accustom ourselves. In the opinion of an Arab or Abyssinian, this, far from being a breach of good manners or decorum, is considered a compliment to the host, showing him that his guest is enjoying the good fare placed before him.

He greatly relished our jam, and some asparagus that we had brought with us in tins. This latter, Suleiman informed him,