PARTY AT SOLIMAN EFFENDl S. 13
own private physician, Dr. Veit, an old friend of Joseph's, he undertook and luckily completed in safety. His train, besides the
kawass, before mentioned, consisted of a lot of Yagers, and an American of Spanish blood. He passed most of his time with us, and took in our garden the latitude of Chartum, which he laid down
as 15** 41' 25" N. He also selected from our small collection of
birds the most curious specimens, and a good many too, for his rich museum at Mergentheim, from which we were in return to be
allowed to choose other things. Soliman EfTendi asked me if he might venture to invite the Duke, as this " Altezza tedesca" much
pleased him ; and more, he would like to give him the German na-
tional dish of "Fava." I delivered the invitation, along witli some remarks as to this gentleman's poisoning habits, though I feai-ed much less for the Duke than for my brother, who had already been named the Baron's successor. This mattered not to the Prince, and as I had before now placed myself on a decided footing with
Soliman, I told him plainly he must reserve his revengeful feelings and poisoning abilities ibr some others, as both my brother and
myself would come with loaded pistols to his feast, and if any of our party felt even a belly-ache, shoot him through the head (bruc-
ciare il cervello). His table was served in the German manner, and much to our surprise he kept his promise as to the Fava (large beans shelled). All invited appeared save Vaissiere—formerly a
captain in the French service, now a slave-dealer, and with the
cross of the Legion of Honour—who would not trust himself at the
Baron's table, as the latter had, after trying to purchase over his head a fxvourite female slave, managed, out of revenge, to poison
her. All appetites were sharp, but we rose all sound. After a time the Duke altered his mind and plans as to Taka, but promised, however, on his return from Fnszogl, to take a part in the cam-
paign. I had to promise the Pascha, in his name, a rifle peculiarly
adapted for crocodile shooting, and a hundred bottles of champagne.
On the 1st of March, 1840, my brother returning from the
Pascha, told me that the vessels were again all in readiness for
Karreri, that he liad to accompany the Pascha, and we would meet again at Darner, the place of rendezvous of the army intended