8o WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

surrounding hills produced a rare effect ; not often, I should think, have those rocks heard that sort of music. After " Auld Lang Syne," songs of all sorts were started, and by the time every one had shouted themselves hoarse with the choruses we had arrived at the wells of El Howeiyat. These were very similar to the holes at Hambok, though slightly better filled with the necessary fluid. A halt was therefore ordered and the horses of the iQth given a bucketful apiece.

Long before they were satisfied, the wells were dry, and the rest of the column fast asleep.

At six the rtveilti was sounded, and the force was soon on the move again. At midday we debouched into a vast scrub-covered plain, intersected by myriads of tiny dry watercourses and bounded on the left by the Gebel Gilif range. Just as we halted for the midday meal, a Hussar appeared, dragging a stalwart native after him, whom he had found hiding in the long grass. This turned out to be no other than Abu Loolah, a famous robber who had been the terror of passing caravans. The guides gathered round him,