48 AFRICAN AVANDEraJ>v>..

secret, often says the contrary to wliat lie intends, either to do, or not to do; but the trutli is, he is without any well considered plan, and the doubtful reports of the Sheiks are not sufficient to let him clearly see the outs and ins, the why and wherefore, of his proceedings. That these Sheiks who have now come in so friendlike, or that tliose who have accompanied him on his march, can at heart wish well to the Turks, is not to be easily credited ; they who before were independent, ruled over a free people, could act and do as they willed, are now deprived of all those privileges, treated with contempt by the stupid, proud Turks,—nay, even subjected to the bastinado, loaded with heavy taxes, and hardly enabled, from diminished revenue, to live, while formerly they fed thousands. Mohammed Din sees these lords' lot, seems determined to preserve his freedom as long, and sell it as dear as he can, should things go ill for him. But if matters come to extremities, to war itself, setting the Pascha aside, where is there an able, even a tolerable leader .'* Abdin Aga, the commander of the Turkish cavalry, a puffed up Arnaut ; Sorop Effendi, stupidity grafted on avarice ; Hassan EfFendi Bimbaschi, a quiet glutton ; Solimon Aga, greedy and without all or any education ; Hassan Etfendi of Sennaar, a Turk in the true meaning of the word, commands the Infantry ; Mohammed Ladjam, a good-humoured but inexperienced youth, leads the Mograbin horsemen : all these leaders are distinguished from one another, only by the one knowing less than his fellow. "What can be expected from an army under such commanders, and more, when that army knows no discipline, and where its best and bravest, the Schaigies, do and ever have done how and what they pleased, and might at a critical moment ruin all ? Joined with these are the endless mob of useless rabble, idlers, slaves, and strumpets, dangerous allies, a mere burden to any army, and a fearful impediment to its powers of action. But there is comfort in "Allah Cherim !"

ith April.—To-day we were stationary, so could enjoy a small hunting excursion round the camp, during which we saw many large and small turtle-doves, crowds of guinea-fowl and partridges, and a perfect swarm of finches, but the variety of birds must be far greater in the rainy season. Tlie thick bush is everywhere most green, everywhere bound together by square-limbed, cactus-like