SCHOOL AT SHEKH IDRIS an idiot, but the parents were very anxious that the children should be taught, and they all contributed towards the expenses of the school. The Inspector spoke kindly words as usual to the teacher and the taught, and then, having made a small present to them, we left. The Inspector told the shekh that working by firelight must be stopped, and then discussed with him the steps which would have to be taken for amending existing arrangements.

In the Siidan, as in England, education is a question of money, and the boys, having to work during the day, had only the evening in which to study. It really was pathetic to see how anxious the men were to have their children educated, and how ready each was to contribute his few millinis ' towards the expense. Happily the Inspector knows the circumstances of the people from personal intercourse with them, and we may be sure that he and Mr.

Currie will find the means for establishing schools in Sukkot, wherein children may learn their lessons in the day-time, and not in the evening with only smoky fires to give them light.

After this, to me at least, novel experience, we returned to the house, and persuaded the shekh to dine with us. He chatted during dinner and told us many interesting things about the invasion of his district by the Dervishes, and when the meal was over, he produced some books in which his ancestors were mentioned, and pored over them with the Inspector for some time. We questioned him about the ruins of some ancient building which were said to exist in the northern part of the Island of Sai, and found that he knew them well, and having promised to take us to them, he departed for the night.

On the following morning we had our boats loaded early, and dropped down the Nile with the current ; as there was no wind we made good progress. In about two hours we sighted a mass of ruined walls which were built on the extreme edge of the Island of Sai, close to the river. We found a convenient place on the bank and landed, and then climbed up a steep, rough path to the remains of what is called the "Castle of Sai." About halfway up, lying on one side of the path through the walls, was a large portion of a stone figure inscribed with hieroglyphics in a style which suggested that it belonged to the XlXth Dynasty ; this we • One milllm = one farthing.

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