THE POLITE NUER 277 frayed, unsewn edge of his cloth, I turned it up and roughly hemmed it, his face a picture of pleasure. His words at the finish were numerous and politely intoned, a patent expression of gratitude quite unlooked for in natives, and later I was further surprised to see him interviewing Belal, who explained that my friend was anxious to know if I would stay till next day, as he desired to give me a backsheesh. My delight at the outlook was modified by uncertainty as to whether it would have taken the form of a daughter or sheep !

This all demonstrates the existence of a basis which could be improved upon, a fact which would give one pleasure but for the fears that enlightenment may bring other evils in its train to replace or add to the indigenous ones. The intellect certainly is there, else why should Belal and Faragallah, brought up as slaves to the Arab, show such superiority ?—an advantage they certainly feel, looking down on their uninitiated brethren with the finest contempt.

A further sack of dhurra was vouchsafed to Buz Nyal, half of which he placed on the ground on a spot hardened by water being poured over it, then assembling a dozen of the poorer women of the village, unbecomingly on hands and knees, in a circle round the heap. All was still—the strained, intense quiet of the start of the hurdle race—until Buz gave the word. Then were the forces of Nature let loose in a marvellous scramble for the