RAVAGES OF -SVILD BEASTS. 231 CHAP. xni.

Ravages of Wild Beasts. — Hills of Basa.— Native Tribes. — Chariff. — A Chasua and its conseiiuenecs.— Singular Recovery. — Supper Party. — Female Slaves Turkish Jealousy. — Snakes. — Superstitions. — Basa.— Origin of Tribes and Races. — Miseries and Ennui of Camp Life.

To form a regiment for the Khaimakan Hassan Effendi, a vile fellow, who was slave along with the Pascha, the officials have to furnish slaves. The Pascha gave 50, Mustapha Bey 35, a Colonel 30, a Kaimakan 15, a Bimbasclii 10, a Jusbaschi 2, a Mclasim, and all Mallems, 1; and just as arbitrarily does the Pascha act with the Saraf (money-changer, or financial officials).

, The Saraf of Cairo has run oif with 7000 purses (kies). The' Pascha has been generous enough to place 3000 to his own debit, but the other Sarafs of the country must pay the remaining 4000. No officer, however old, gets his discharge; without first having his accounts overhauled, or, in other words, being plundered. Some people of Mohammed Ehle's have been caught tempting the soldiers to desert, and stealing camels, but our chief remains true to Ills policy not to break with the Hallenga. The only punishment he inflicts on them is to take away their lances and shields, and, at the prayer of ]Mohammed Elile, after a few days' imprisonment, let them go. The making of busa, or merissa, is forbidden, and brandy is not to be had ; so now they steep raisins and honey in water till it ferments, burying the vessel containing it in the ground. The opium is, too, all used up, and the few who have been in the habit of using it torment my brother for some, and promise in return what they never mean to perform. The tigers (nimr), or panthers, almost nightly spring from the rocks over the low camp-fence, and bear ofi" so easily goats and sheep, that the owners, who sleep beside them, only hear the dyingci-y of the prey, and the rapid spring of the spoiler over the pales. The lions have again slain a man, and three cows, near the camp ; we therefore are now more cautious when we go out to hunt, and the servants wisely stick close to us. Our collection of birds and four-footed animals is much increased, and we have also gathered together a number of snakes and other reptiles.