200 AFIIICAN WANDERINGS.

finding time-worn and blackened rocks and blocks of granite. To our left (east) was visible a long chain of isolated hillock rocks of the most curious forms, but mostly pyramidical ; they stood out singly like the sentinels of the higher hills, which run in unbroken range to the east and south, boundary hills between the races of Makada and of this land. Some of these hills showed the fairest shapes and brightest colours. We rode to the foot of the hills south of Kassela, that with its dome-shaped head offered a most imposing sight, and declared its height by its cloudy canopy or curtain. We sought in vain for a sign of ancient ruin or building remains on hillocks and hills ; nothing of the kind was to be found, and none of the natives knew aught of bint gaddim (old buildings). Time and weather had here wasted the hard granite rocks, and those still standing upright were split and fractured into a thousand shapes and forms.

To somewhat lessen the tedium of our march the Pascha hit on the happy thought of ordering out the various Arab races, as also tlie Turkish, Mograbin, and Schaigie cavalry, to go through a sham fight, each after their own manner, and this certainly afforded a most interesting and characteristic scene. All, save the Arabs, rushed impetuously on the invisible enemy, discharging their firearms, and then immediately retreating, while past our ears whistled some of their balls. To infantry unaccustomed to such attacks these violent cavalry onsets might be dangerous, as these incessant skirmishings would be an eternal harassing, that could only be resisted by a rapidly-formed square, retained with steadiness and energy ; and I much doubt if our forces here could, Avithout much difficulty, be brought to effect or maintain a formation that would defeat such attacks. Even at the most rapi<l gallop, all these' cavalry handled their long, heavy" flint muskets like riding vvhips ; in pursuit and retreat they used their pistols, and kept up a constant fire on the pursued or pursuing enemy. All was done in the most rapid gallop, nor did they make the smallest attempt at order in their onsets. The tAventieth part of the Turkish cavalry alone had sabres, but all muskets and pistols ; some men had four of the latter, two in the girdle and two at the saddle-bows. The Schaigies, like the Mograbins, are only armed with muskets ; but the officers have