4 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

climate, as well as spirits and bodies dying of ennui of a life of quarantine, united to a devouring longing for the liealtliy, whiteskin-produeing North, urged us as soon as possible to quit for ever this unhealthy city, as well as the arid_steppes of the Bellad-Sudan. Our purpose was still morTstrengthenedl)y Tlierst expedition to the source of the White Nile, having sailed while we lay on sick couches, and with it went the main object of our journey. At this time, tIie_Grand CadL_paid us a visit, while his attending Faki remained standing at the doors. We fancied he had come to have a talk with us, or hold a small court of inquiry as to a matter in which I was principally concerned. The case was this: we had allowed tlie poor mother and sisters of our two servants to occupy one of our out-buildings, and for some days I had observed a tall young Faki, in white garments, and with an immense rosary round his neck, creep over the court to the window, and write some characters on the ground before her door. 1 asked the sons what the priest did there, and was told by them, with sad faces, that he wrote charms, or amulettes, for the women, and that they had to give up tlieir wages to pay him ; that he was a greedy miser, and had already received so much tliat they had nothing left for themselves. This angered me, and I went aci-oss the court to him, and asked, "Amie e ?" (What do you ?) but without honouring me with a glance, or even rising for a Nasrani, or Kafr (Infidel), he replied, " Di schogie betai ! " (Tliat's my business!) Next moment I had him by the arm, and, pointing to the gate, desired him to quit our court ; but he Avould not, and striking his breast, exclaimed, " Ana Faki ! " (I am a priest), and I retorted by " Ente uachet Faki misaur ! " (You are a cheating priest and robber I) and only on my laying hold of apiece of stout stick lying handy, did he, with many threats, quit the court. Hardly had I again sat down and cooled somewhat, when a violent knocking was made at our gates, before which a crowd of Faki and other rabble had gathered.

Our servants, who had not been long under my training, retreated in terror, and would not venture to open the court gates, until I, doublebarrelled gun in hand, went to our house door, and in loud voice, ordered the gates, witli an " Ilab ekta el hal! " to be ojiened. " Stand .still ! " said my sick brother, in feeble voice, as he laid his double rifle over my left slioulder; and a lad of the name of Sale, from Mahaff, who was anxious to enter our service, also laid hold of a rifle.