374 JOURNEY TO CENTRAL AFRICA.

luxury to the sense, as palpable as that of an exquisite flavor to the palate. Away we went at full gallop, the glittering array of colors dancing and interchanging to the rapid music, as our horses' hoofs tore the bean- vines and flung their trailing blossoms into the air, until we reached the bank of the White Nile, where the Bey's vessel was just coming to land. Here the Arab shekhs and the greater part of the inferior officers embraced Abd-el Kader and returned to Khartoum.

The rest of us crossed to the island of Moussa Bey and walked over the thick green turf to a large mimosa tree, of the variety called ''araz, where the carpets were spread on the ground for us and the slaves were ready with our pipes. We lay there two or three hours, in the pleasant shade, talking, smoking, and lazily watching the motions of the attendants, who were scattered all over the island. An Albanian in a scarlet dress shot a wild goose, and Dr. Beitz tried to bring down an ibis, but failed. Finally the showrmeh — an entire sheep, stuffed with rice — appeared, garnished with bread, onions, radishes and grapes. We bared our right arms and buried our hands in the smoking flesh with such good will, that in half an hour the dish contained nothing but a beautiful skeleton.

Abd-el Kader Bey honored me by tearing off a few choice morsels with his own fingers and presenting them to me. A bowl of rice cooked in milk and sweetened, completed the repast.

At noon we went on board the sandal, and after being shipped to the other side, took leave of Abd-el Kader with an embrace and " God grant you a prosperous journey ! " — to which ae replied : " G-od grant it ! " He sailed off, up the White Nile, for Tura, with a fine breeze, and we turned homewards.

The wind which blew across the plain in our faces, was as hot