THE MAECH. 27

covered the soil, or when covered with two great white barakans,

folded four times together, formed a very perfect sleeping-place

for us when suffering from cold or fever. Atop of all this high-

piled load sat the cook himself. We had entrusted to his care

some of our arms, three guns and an old-fashioned pistol, with

some ammunition ; two of the first he had fastened to his drome-

dary, as we carried our double-barrelled rifles, but a long Turkish

gun he had hung over his neck, surely no very comfortable com-

panion during a long, sharp ride. In addition to our double rifles,

that we could have in our hands in an instant, we also carried pis-

tols, strung in a belt instead of being stuck in the girdle, and by

our sides hung proudly our cavalry swords,— our Turkish sabres,

too light for our unaccustomed hands, having been safely stowed

away in our chests. Our cook had wisely provided himself with

some of the needful tools of his trade, things that neither Joseph

or I had thought of. This seems a long list, but still it is but a

very poor one of all required for a journey in this land.

At three o'clock in the afternoon (fi I'Asser), a cannon was

fired, and soon a sudden commotion and stir was evident in the

camp, this being the signal for starting. In an instant our tent

was down, and as each camel lay already with shackled knee,

between the chests and bags intended for it, and our girbes were

ere now filled, all was so quickly laden that our people were at the

head of the train, where by our orders they were to keep. We

ourselves, mounting, rode up to the Pascha, who had halted to the

eastward of Darner, his saddled horses and dromedaries drawn up

behind, and here out of the bustle was making his further arrange-

ments at his ease. He growled at the great disorder, but consoled

himself that in future things would go on better. It was, indeed, a

most varied scene : the Turkish cavalry, in their national dress of

every hue and colour, with yellow or green standards and small

kettle-drums ; the cavalry of the Schaigies and Mograbin Arabs on

horses, dromedaries, and on foot ; the Sheiks and Moluk (little

kings), with their little arm-bearers behind them on the same

camels, with spears, lances, swords and shields of leather; the numerous asses and camels, the former led by the halter by almost

every second infantry soldier, so that the owners might ride in

turn ; drums, trumpets, and all kinds of deafening music, &c.