288 JOURNEY TO CENTRAL AFRICA.

very much delighted with the sport. He had the free range of the palace, but spent the most of his time in the kitchen, where he would leap upon a table, deliberately lie down, and watch the movements of the cooks with great interest. The Pasha told us that this whelp had on one occasion found his way to the harem, where his presence was first proclaimed by the screams of the terrified women. The leopard was a large and fierce animal, but the other lion was a rough, good-humored fellow, turning over on his back to be played with, and roaring frequently, with a voice that resembled the low notes of a melancholy trombone. From this court we passed into the outer corridor fronting the square, when the jewelled shebooks were again brought, and the Pasha discoursed for some time on the necessity of controlling one's passions and preserving a quiet temperament under all circumstances. When we rose to depart, he invited us to return and dine with him next day.

Towards sunset the horses were got ready ; Dr. Reitz donned his uniform, and I dressed myself in Frank costume, with the exception of the tarboosh, shawl and red slippers. We called at the Catholic Mission on our way to the Palace, and while conversing with the monks in the garden, a message came from the Pasha requesting Aboona Suleyman — (Padre Solomon, as Dr. Knoblecher was called by the Copts and Mussulmen in Khartoum) — to accompany us. We therefore set out on foot with the Yicar, with the grooms leading the horses behind us.

The Pasha received us at the entrance of his reception-room, and then retired to pray, before further conversation. The divan at the further end of the room was divided in the centre by a pile of cushions, the space on the right hand being reserved for the Pasha alone. The Consul, being the second inde«