228 ArniCAN avaxdehixgs.

entrance much surpriscil. ISlj brotlici* remained conversing a considerable time with the old man, who told him many things, and could not conceal his hatred of the Turks ; he had been many years in INlecca and Medina, — had, according to his own ex-,pression, learnt every thing, and called himself Allan (learned). Mien my brother questioned him as to his ailments, he at once loudly declared he Avould take no medicine from any surgeon of the Pascha's, not because he mistrusted my brother, as he before now had in Djcdda had for his friend a Frank doctor, but merely because he would not be indebted to the Pascha for any thing Avhatever. When my brother recommended him to move into a better atmosphere, as the air in the dark tokul was very detrimental to liealth, he replied, that after sunset and before sunrise he continued his devotions in the open air.

We left him, and, as Ave Avere doing so, Ave Avcre met by the Faki of Cliartum before mentioned, Avho had married a AA'oman of this priest-village, and who often had invited us to come and drink merissa, which he secretly brcAved. As he almost neA'er spoke the truth, from Avhich habit Ave called him Misaur, Ave noAv threatened to take him stoutly to task, if he did not procure us this drink, Avhich he had days before promised to bring into the camp, though Ave held it impossible that he would dare to ])ro-<luce it here. He led us through an empty house into a court surrounded by a high mud Avail, and to the shade of a tree ; then brouglit out some small stools or chairs (bamber), made of Avoven camel-hides, for us to sit on. With his hands he dug up the earth before us, shoAvcd us a Avoodcu cover, and, after tliis Avas removed, a great burma (an earthen bomb-shaped Acssel), full of merissa, concealed under it. He then hurried into the house, and brought out a small gara, to scoop it up in, and a knife, Avith Avhich he scraped off the brown bark of some branch smelling like mint, and Avhicli, poAvdered over the merissa, gave it a more piquant taste. We grcAV nierry, as if from draughts of good Avine, and drank, in the German student style, in rivalry Avith the Faki. From the rapid drinking and talking, he became maudlin and loving, and Avanted to embrace us as his brothers, biit the stools not being the steadiest, lie came to the ground. We then helped him up, and now he as suddenly became lachrymose, as it occurred to