8o BASE MARAUDERS, tures are often found in the smallest pools ; and we were informed that, during the rains, very large ones are seen near Cassala. As the Gash loses itself in the sand, I am at a loss to know what becomes of these animals ; for any pools that remain in the dry season are so small that they could not afford accommodation for any but the smallest crocodiles. Perhaps they bury themselves in the sand, and lie pcrdit till the next rainy season comes round, as, I believe, is the habit of alligators in some parts of South America during the dry season. We saw a good many antelopes, and the fresh tracks of a herd of buffaloes. Tamarind-trees were seen for the first time ; the fruit is a very favourite food of baboons, and wherever this tree is seen, there are sure to be some not far off. We again encamped above the Gash, at a point where its bed widened considerably, and where the country looked less promising.

The sheik joined us on the march. He told us he had been to look after the Base who had made the raid on his cattle, and killed so many of his people ; he had got a number of them penned in a cave, and some of the Beni-Amers had surrounded it, and were trying to starve them out. He expressed his intention of returning the following day to the place where they were, which was some distance to the south of the Gash. According to his statement, he had at first applied for assistance to the governor of Cassala, asking him to supply troops with which to attack the hostile Base. This request the governor had refused, and told him to fight his own battles, and to take vengeance on the Bas6 in his own way. He was justly aggrieved at this ; as he said, and with some reason, that he paid yearly heavy taxes to the Egyptian authorities, and it was very hard that they should refuse him their assistance when he stood in need of it.