- 48 — given way before night, and night again been banished by the day. My leg was then wrapped in a kind of medicinal cloth, but became very much inflamed until its bulk resembled that of a watermelon. The rumour ran round the villages that Zubeir was sick unto death, and was soon to be admitted into the mansions of eternity. Then the dolerous wailings of the women resounded through the camp and men made moan for me as one already dead.

So I determined to appear before the people that I might prove to them that I was being healed of my disorders.

I directed my horse to be saddled and was conveyed to it upon a litter (2) but, no sooner had I put my left foot in the stirrup than the horse trembled with fear, and, at the sight of the angareeb, started to run away : I fell off heavily on to my right foot, which then burst like an orange when it is ripe, and great quantities of dark blood came forth : but, strange to say, with the issue of this unhealthy matter my leg became cured, and I found rest from my pain and tribulation.

In very truth this Ahmed El Karsani was an exceeding clever doctor. There was none who could compare with him in the knowledge and practice of his art. I remember well an occasion when one of (2) Angareeb, lit. native bed.