SEARCH FOR A HOUSE. 2Tl idea that we had become part and parcel of it, and would remain on board for the rest of our lives.

I took Acbmet and started immediately in search of a house, as in those lands a traveller who wishes to be respectable, must take a residence on arriving at a city, even if he only intends to stay two or three days. Over the mud walls on either side of the lane leading up from the water, I could look into wildernesses of orange, date, fig and pomegranate trees, oleanders in bloom and trailing vines. We entered a tolerable street, cleanly swept, and soon came to a coffee-house Two or three persons were standing at the door, one of whom — a fat, contented-looking Turk — eyed Achmet sharply. The two looked at each other a moment in mutual doubt and astonishment, and then fell into each other's arms. It was a Syrian merchant, whom Achmet had known in Cairo and Beyrout.

" 0 master ! " said he, his dark face radiant with delight, as he clasped the hand of the Syrian : " there never was such a lucky journey as this ! " The merchant, who had been two years in Khartoum, accompanied us in our search. We went first to the residence of the shekh of the quarter, who was not at home. Two small boys, the sons of one of a detachment of Egyptian physicians, who had recently arrived, received me. They complained bitterly of Soudan, and longed to get back again to Cairo. We then went to the Governor of the city, but he was absent in Kordofan. Finally, in wandering about the streets, we met a certain Ali Effendi, who took us to a house which would be vacant the next day. It was a large mud palace, containing an outer and inner divan, two sleeping rooms, a kitchen, storerooms, apartments for servants, and an inclosed court-yard and